Unified approach, political engagement and bold action to transform agri-food systems

24 November 2020, Rome/Geneva – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said today that unified action, political engagement and bold initiatives are needed to transform global agri-food systems, as he addressed the final plenary session of the high-level World Economic Forum’s two-day event entitled “Bold Actions for Food as a Force for Good”.

Leaders from the public and private sectors, civil society groups, farmer organizations and consumer groups met to share their vision and ideas with the aim of building greater multi-stakeholder collaboration and seeking ways to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). 

The event was widely seen by participants as an opportunity to share their ideas in the leadup to the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 which Qu described as a “catalyst” to move the transformative agenda forward.

The Director-General emphasised that the challenge to transform agri-food systems, in order to make them more sustainable, inclusive and resilient, was enormous as the world’s population was set to increase to 10 billion by 2050, but he said leaders were thinking bravely and were ready to take bold action.

“It is time to think holistically, coherently and historically,” Qu stressed as he called for a unified approach and prioritized action, adding that “we are one global village.”

The Director-General indicated that the priority areas for eradicating hunger, poverty and inequalities were threefold: reducing food loss and waste; developing innovation, such as digital technology, biotechnology and enabling policies; and recognising the importance of regionalization and localization. As he noted, “One size does not fit all.”

Qu highlighted that the economic concept of marginal utility could help prioritize actions. In relation to food loss and waste, for instance, the reduction of food loss in developing nations yields higher marginal utility, while reducing food waste will give rise to higher marginal utility in rich countries and in cities around the world.  

Referring to his experience in reforestation in northern China, Qu stressed that planning was critically important because transformative projects took years to reach fruition.

He also noted the importance of unprecedented leadership to overcome the challenges ahead and build back better and stronger, noting that achieving the food security of the most vulnerable and ensuring peace were top priorities. 

Before the Director-General’s closing remarks, the forum heard from the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Gilbert Houngbo, and Ute Klamert, Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships & Advocacy at the World Food Programme, who both stressed the need for cooperation and action to transform food systems.

Sigrid Kaag, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation in the Netherlands and David Nabarro, one of the World Health Organization’s Special Envoys on Covid-19 and Senior Advisor on Food Systems Summit Dialogues, 4SD, also took part in the event.

Theo De Jager, the President of the World Farmers’ Organization, described next year’s Food Systems Summit as a unique opportunity to create change, while Christine Gould, Founder and CEO of the Thought For Food organization, stressed the need to mobilize young people in the transformation of food systems in the future.