FAO at UNGA79 and Summit of the Future
22/09/2024 - 30/09/2024
©UN Photo/Mark Garten
79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79) and High-Level Week (23-27 September)
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) will open from United Nations headquarters in New York, on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, with the High-Level Week spanning from 23 to 27 September. Read more here on other events and meetings taking place during the UNGA79 High-Level period.
World leaders will gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations”.
FAO at UNGA79 will highlight the important roles of food security, nutrition and efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring no one is left behind. FAO will discuss the many ways in which prioritizing agrifood systems transformations contributes to ending poverty, improving health and education outcomes, empowering women, ensuring the optimized use of natural resources as well as sustainable consumption and production, creating decent jobs and livelihood opportunities, reducing inequalities and rural-urban disparities, and tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
Summit of the Future Action Days (20-21 September)
Bringing together representatives from Member States, civil society, private sector, academia, local and regional authorities, youth, and many more, the Action Days will provide an opportunity for broad engagement and inclusion. These stakeholders have all played a key role in shaping the Pact for the Future and will be critical to its implementation.
The Action Days will kick off with a dedicated, youth-led afternoon followed by a Saturday programme which will focus on three priority themes – digital and technology, peace and security, and sustainable development and financing. In addition to the three themes, there will also be a dedicated focus throughout the day on future generations. Expected participants include Heads of State, Ministers, senior UN officials and representatives from the private sector, civil society and other actors.Read more about the Action Days here.
Summit of the Future (22- 23 September)
The Summit is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. Heads of State and Government will gather at UN Headquarters in New York on 22-23 September 2024 to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks. This Summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Charter while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system. The Summit will result in a negotiated Pact for the Future, an action-oriented document aimed to bolster global cooperation and adapt to current challenges effectively for the benefit of all and for future generations.
Read more about the Summit of the Future here.
FAO engagements at UNGA79, Summit of the Future, and Climate Week NYC
Summit of the Future Action Day
Friday, 20 September | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | UNHQ
‘WSIS in Action: Shaping the Future of Digital Cooperation’
Organized by the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS)/WSIS, co-sponsored by Malaysia, Romania, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
* Dejan Jakovljevic, Director, FAO Division of Digital FAO and Agro-informatics, to speak as a panelist.
Summit of the Future Action Day
Friday, 20 September | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
'Extraordinary Meeting of the Local2030 Coalition Steering Committee at the Summit of the Future'
Organized by the Local2030 Coalition.
* Guangzhou Qu, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, to give remarks.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Saturday, 21 September | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Columbia University
‘Food for Humanity: Unlocking the Potential of Universities to End Hunger and Malnutrition’
Organized by Columbia Climate School at Columbia University.
* Corinna Hawkes, Director, FAO Division of Food Systems and Food Safety to speak as a panelist.
Summit of the Future Action Day
Saturday, 21 September | 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM | UNHQ
'Shaping local pathways for a more equitable, sustainable, and secure future for all – “Localizing the Pact for the Future”'
Organized by the Local2030 Coalition, co-sponsored by the governments of Brazil, Spain, and the Local Authorities Major Group.
* Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, to speak.
Summit of the Future Action Day
Saturday, 21 September | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Launch of the flagship report – Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024
Organized by UN DESA and UN Women.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to speak as a high-level panelist.
Gender Snapshot Launch Concept Note & Agenda
UNGA79 High-level Week
Sunday, 22 September | 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
'Advancing Climate Action through Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems’ (Invitation-only)
Organized by the UAE Mission to the UN.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver opening remarks.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Sunday, 22 September | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | UNHQ
‘High-Level Meeting on Mobilizing Private Sector Ambition and Accountability to Transform Food Systems’
Organized by the UN Global Compact.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver opening remarks.
Summit of the Future
Sunday, 22 September | 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM | General Assembly Hall, UNHQ
Summit of the Future Plenary
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver remarks.
Summit of the Future website | Live Webcast
UNGA79 High-level Week
Sunday, 22 September | 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
'Partnering to Create AI-based Public Goods for One Billion+ Smallholders' (Invitation-only)
Organized by the UAE Mission to the UN.
* Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, to speak.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Monday, 23 September | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
‘Green Up to Cool Down: Creating an incentive driven approach to land restoration’
Organized by the Global EverGreening Alliance.
SDG Media Zone
Monday, 23 September | 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
'Sustainable Goals on and off the Court: Sport’s Role in promoting healthy diets'
* Jason Barrera and Latif Rivers, Harlem Globetrotters, and Corinna Hawkes, Director of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO
Summit of the Future
Monday, 23 September | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ
Summit of the Future interactive dialogue 4: The Future Starts Now: enhancing the global system for current and future generations
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver remarks.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Monday, 23 September | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
‘A strategic harmonising approach to land restoration and fighting climate change’
Organized by the Global EverGreening Alliance.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Monday, 23 September | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
'High-level Consultation Meeting on the Forum on Carbon-Negative and Carbon-Neutral Countries'
Organized by The Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the UN.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
UNGA side-event ‘Advancing Together: Securing the Global AMR Agenda by Harnessing the Collective Strength of Multi-Sector Partnerships’
Organized by Wellcome Trust, Biomerieux, Government of France, and the Republic of Malawi.
* Corinna Hawkes, Director, FAO Division of Food Systems and Food Safety to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
'Enabling Climate Action for a Sustainable Future through COP 29 Global Initiatives'
Organized by COP 29 Presidency - Azerbaijan.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver remarks.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
‘Roundtable: Food & Packaging’
Organized by Business Sweden.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
‘Leading and Linking: Bold Actions to Tackle NCDs for Sustainable Development’
Organized by NCDA.
* Corinna Hawkes, Director, FAO Division of Food Systems and Food Safety to speak as a panelist.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | UNHQ
‘Commit to Grow Equality: Invest in the Future of Women and Girls’
Organized by FAO.
This invitation-only high-level action event marks the shift from conceptualization to implementation of the FAO-led Commit to Grow Equality initiative. Leaders from all sectors will step forward and announce concrete commitments that will make a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls. As part of the event, a timeline for action will be shared as well as a pathway for others to join this growing movement.
* QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, to deliver opening remarks, Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, to present on the Commitments Matrix and Roadmap for the Future, and Lauren Phillips, Deputy Director, Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division to moderate.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Tuesday, September 24 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
‘The Climate Crisis and Cities: The Role of Regional Food Policy’
Organized by the NYC Mayor's Office on Food Policy, The Rockefeller Foundation, and FFAR.
* Corinna Hawkes, Director, FAO Division of Food Systems and Food Safety to deliver keynote presentation and moderate.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
‘Ministerial Roundtable: Working nationally and internationally to transform Agrifood systems for people and planet’ (Invitation-only)
Organized by the Netherlands, Italy, and FAO.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, to participate as a panelist.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Tuesday, September 24 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
‘Agriculture Innovation within Climate Change Action and the role of NDCs’
Organized by UN Foundation and Brazil.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, to speak.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Tuesday, September 24 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
‘Reception – Driving Change at Global Scale: Industry’s Role in Fostering Regenerative Practices in Agriculture’
Organized by The Royal Danish Consulate General, Carlsburg and Arla.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, to deliver keynote.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Wednesday, September 25 | 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
‘Commit to Grow Equality Breakfast Event: A global commitment to enhancing gender equality in agrifood systems through financing and partnerships by 2030’
Organized by the International Agri-Food Network.
* Lauren Phillips, Deputy Director, FAO Division of Rural Transformation and Gender Equality, to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Wednesday, September 25 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | UNHQ
‘High-Level Event on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III)’
Organized by UNIDO, AUC, UNECA, in partnership with the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, African Business Council, and Deloitte.
* Video message by QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Wednesday, September 25 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
‘Livestock Tackling the Methane Challenge’
Organized by Global Dairy Platform (GDP) and Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).
* Video message by QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Wednesday, September 25 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
‘Forum Sustainable Energy and Water: Supporting Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development (SDG 7 Action)’
Organized by UN DESA.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
High-Level Meeting on AMR Side Event “Global Action on AMR: Advancing Healthy Longevity and Sustainability under UHC”
Organized by the Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), AMR Alliance Japan as well as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.
* Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, to speak.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Wednesday, September 25 | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
‘Coordinated Action to Accelerate the Food System Transformation from Cali to Belem’
Organized by FOLU, WRI, and UN Foundation.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, to speak.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Wednesday, September 25 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
‘Big Tent Gathering: Climate & Food in 2024 and the journey to COP30’
Organized by UN Foundation.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Wednesday, September 25 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Quadripartite side event ‘UNGA 2024 High-level Meeting on AMR and beyond: Bringing the voices and perspectives of the Low-and middle-income countries’
Organized by UN Foundation, International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), and the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR
* Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, to deliver remarks.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Thursday, September 26 | 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Joint Press Briefing on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) with the Quadripartite on the significance of the High-Level Meeting on AMR and its outcome
* Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, to brief on behalf of QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Thursday, September 26 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | UNHQ
‘High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance convened by the President of the General Assembly’
Organized by the President of the General Assembly.
* Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, to deliver opening remarks on behalf of QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Thursday, September 26 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
‘Holistic Food System Approaches to Address Food and Nutrition Security’
Organized by Pegasus Capital Advisors.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division to speak.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Thursday, September 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
‘Towards a Unified Understanding on Regenerative Agriculture’
Organized by Canada and CGIAR.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division to speak.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Thursday, September 26 | 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
High-level side-event: 'Road to Riyah'
Organized by Saudi Arabia in collaboration with UNCCD Secretariat.
* Guangzhou Qu, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, to give remarks.
UNGA79 High-level Week
Thursday, September 26 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
'23rd Annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries'
* Guangzhou Qu, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, to give remarks.
Climate Week NYC 2024
Friday, September 27 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
‘Building Resilient Food Systems for All’
Organized by Food Tank and the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph.
* David Laborde, Director, FAO Division of Agrifood Economics and Policy Division to speak.