Planet, people and shared prosperity on the road to Zero Hunger

The Rome-based Agencies for food and agriculture are working together to transform agri-food systems for a Zero Hunger world, say FAO-IFAD-WFP in a joint statement at the UN General Assembly's Second Committee. 

7 October, New York – The Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York QU Guangzhou spoke on behalf of the Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) – FAO, IFAD and WFP – at the UNGA Second Committee’s joint discussion, under the agenda items on poverty eradication and agriculture development, food security and nutrition.

He underscored the role of the RBA’s in promoting transformative pathways to make agri-food systems  more inclusive, resilient and sustainable, and said that the RBAs were ready to take a leadership role to ensure the follow-up to the Food Systems Summit and its outcomes.

“We are working to achieve more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind to achieve the 2030 Agenda,” Qu said.

Pathways for agri-food systems transformation to tackle the multidimensional drivers of hunger

Director Qu’s words echoed the findings and calls to action outlined in the reports that FAO presented at yesterday’s Committee deliberations. FAO led the drafting of the reports on agriculture development, food security and nutrition and on the eradication of rural poverty, together with DESA, and on the implementation of the UN Decade for Family Farming, with IFAD. FAO also presented an update on natural plant fibres.

Together, these reports call for a transformational and generational paradigm shift in our agri-food systems, with commitments and solutions at the service of the rural poor and family farmers.

With up to 811 million people going hungry in 2020 – 161 million more than in 2019 – and over 3 billion unable to afford a healthy diet, it is a moral indignation to have 14 percent of food produced being lost before reaching its intended consumer, and 17 percent of food wasted after reaching consumers. 

“The main drivers of food insecurity and hunger are conflicts, climate change, economic downturns and inequalities,” Qu said, pointing to how the pandemic has only exacerbated these underlying drivers. Indeed, the world was already off track to achieving Zero Hunger by 2030, with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing the world further astray from this goal. 

Qu pointed out the six pathways to transform agri-food systems presented in the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2021 report to address the core drivers of hunger: (i) integrating humanitarian, development and peacebuilding policies in conflict-affected areas; (ii) scaling-up climate resilience; (iii) increasing economic resilience; (iv) lowering the cost of nutritious foods; (v)addressing poverty and inequality; and (vi) strengthening food environments and shift to sustainable consumption patterns.

With eyes on 2030, the time is ripe for momentous action

Finding ourselves at the outset of the Decade of Action, Qu stressed that the time is ripe for innovative action, revamped commitments and forward thinking if we are to make SDG 2 a reality.

Together with the wider UN System, FAO, IFAD and WFP will take a leadership role to ensure that the Food Systems Summit’s follow-up catalyzes action in the five areas outlined by the UN Secretary-General: nourish all people; boost nature-based solutions; advance equitable livelihoods, decent work and empowered communities; build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stresses; and support means of implementation.

“We know we need systemic change across our agri-food systems to end hunger and malnutrition in all its forms, putting rural lives and agricultural livelihoods at the heart of our efforts. We know we need to step up our action, now,” he said.

Related links

• Read the full statement from Director Qu Guangzhou on behalf of FAO, IFAD and WFP.
• Read more on FAO’s role in presenting the SG Reports on rural poverty; agriculture, food security and nutrition; and family farming.