UN Food Systems Summit + 2 Stocktaking Moment Special Event
“Fertilizers: Meeting short-term needs while working towards
sustainable solutions”
Monday, 24 July 2023 | 11:30-12:30 (CEST)
Red Room
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The context
The topic of fertilizers gained very high attention over the last two years. International fertilizer benchmark prices began soaring in 2021 as a result the disruptions caused by COVID-19, and reached record highs in 2022 following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. This has raised concerns about food production and availability in 2023. The lack of application of fertilizers can limit nutrient availability to plants and affect crop yields, and thus food production. The reduced availability of, and access to, fertilizers opened a wide debate on how to mitigate the crisis, while highlighting the need to find longer-term solutions by promoting sustainable production practices, for instance including through the use of soil nutrient maps and organic fertilizers.
The issues
The recent global fertilizer crisis raised serious concerns about the impact on global food security, and how the crisis can be used to find sustainable solutions. The crisis has resulted in various market developments and policy responses; it would be useful to learn about the effectiveness of the government policy responses. There is a clear and urgent need to design and implement innovative approaches and strategies to improve the use efficiency of fertilizers and find alternatives to traditional fertilizers. New technologies are needed to optimize fertilizer application, which should be promoted and made accessible in developing countries to have an impact at scale.
Key messages
The main message of the event will be how fertilizers can play a positive role in the transformation of food systems. Other messages can include: i) the importance of ensuring market transparency and avoiding trade disruptions and export restrictions; the need of innovative solutions to enhance use efficiency and optimize application of fertilizers; the importance of technology transfer and training, especially in developing countries; the significance of collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders, including policy makers, researchers, farmers and industry experts.
Expected outcome
Increased understanding of the current global fertilizer situation and awareness of the critical need to find sustainable solutions. A set of policy recommendations, including both short- and longer-term solutions, on how fertilizers can play a positive role in food systems transformation. While shorter-term solutions are essential to mitigate the impact of market distortions and price spikes, longer-term arrangements should tackle sustainability issues.
Vision for the session
The adoption and promotion of innovative and sustainable practices with regard to the use of fertilizers constitutes a win-win approach that can reduce production costs and raise productivity and farmers’ incomes, while contributing to protecting natural resources, and thus to the needed transformation towards sustainable food systems.
Moderator
Mr David Nabarro, UN, Co-lead GCRG
