UN Food Systems Summit Carrying Forward the Vision and Momentum for 2030 Closing Session

UN Food Systems Summit

Carrying Forward the Vision and Momentum for 2030

Closing Session 

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

23 September 2021 - 17.00 – 18.00 New York

 

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

 

1.         Over the past 20 months, the preparation process to the Food Systems Summit has exceeded many expectations. Today, we are seeing a high level of energy and commitment for changes.

 

2.         It is the time to turn this momentum into action and work together to follow through on transformative pathways based on national priorities and conditions.

 

3.         Efforts to transform our agri-food systems present many unique opportunities for the reduction of poverty and inequality, and for more healthy diets.

 

4.         FAO will take a leadership role to ensure that the Summit’s follow-up becomes an catalytic opportunity for all the stakeholders to rally behind the 5 Areas of Action, which were outlined by the Secretary-General.

 

5.         FAO will work closely with its sister agencies in the UN System along with many partners that have been engaged in the Food Systems Summit process.

 

6.         Make sure the initiatives actions are implemented for the benefit of people, farmers and all the stakeholders of agri-food systems.

 

7.         The Summit follow-up will have a strong focus on strengthening the science-policy interface, building on the important work of the Scientific Group, and working closely with the CFS’s High-level Panel of Experts.

 

8.         It will also draw on the rich insights and expertise of young people, private sectors, food producers and indigenous groups.

 

9.         Most importantly, the Summit follow-up will support our Members in implementing their transformative pathways.

 

10.       For this, we need more and better targeted and sustained investments.

 

11.       There are low-cost, high-impact interventions that can help hundreds of millions of people get rid of hunger. If we can attract an annual investment of about $40 to $50 billion until 2030 to fund targeted interventions — like agricultural R&D, innovation, digital agriculture, reduction of food loss and waste, literacy improvement for women, and social protection programs, etc.

 

12.       FAO’s technical expertise and investment support can put knowledge into action. We will bring on board the investment leaver for action.

 

13.       FAO’s flagship initiatives — including the Hand-in-Hand, the Food Coalition and others — can help rebuild agri-food systems back better at the country level.

 

14.       FAO with the ecosystem of partners will work with International Financial Institutions to help countries to turn their vision for transformation into robust investment plans.

 

15.       FAO will support Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams and non-UN partners by providing advisory services for food systems dialogues, policy support on national food systems design, and shared learning.

 

16.       The new FAO will try our best to implement the FAO new strategic framework 2022-2031.  I am confident that the tangible results will be deliverable together.

 

17.       Let us work together to achieve MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

 

18.       Let us roll up our sleeves and get things done! Thank you.