In this context, senior UN officials called for urgent investment and innovation to transform global agri-food systems. These systems encompass everything from agriculture and fishing to food processing, transportation, markets and consumption – the entire chain that brings food from field to table.
“Agri-food systems are at the center of the progress of our societies,”said Lok Bahadur Thapa, president of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), opening a special meeting in New York.
“They are the thread that unites the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainable development.“
Engage young people
Food and agricultural systems support livelihoods around the world and provide employment to more than 39 percent of the global workforce, as well as about 64 percent of jobs in Africa. Beyond feeding populations, they shape rural economies, public health, trade and environmental sustainability.
Transforming these systems, Mr. Thapa said, could generate between $5 and $10 trillion in benefits in health, economic growth and environmental protection.
Furthermore, with a projected seven percent increase in the global youth population by 2030, ensuring meaningful youth participation would help ensure that agri-food systems transformations are inclusive, sustainable and future-proof, he added.
A crucial moment
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told delegates that the meeting came “at a crucial time.”
“Hunger remains at unacceptable levels. Fiscal space is shrinking and pressures on agri-food systems are intensifying.” she said.
Since the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit, 130 countries have developed national pathways to reform the way food is grown, processed and distributed. But now ambition must be translated into results.
“This momentum must be translated into results, scaling up these solutions, aligning finances with national priorities and accelerating action where the needs are greatest to leave no one behind,” Ms. Mohammed emphasized.
Closing gender gaps
Marking 2026 as the International Year of the Peasant Woman, Ms. Mohammed highlighted that “Women farmers are essential to food security, nutrition and economic resilience around the world.”
“Closing gender gaps is not just a matter of justice: it is a driver to achieve better results for everyone.”he added.
Discussions focused on mobilizing more finance and leveraging digital innovation – from data systems to emerging technologies – to boost productivity, create decent jobs and strengthen resilience to climate shocks and market disruptions.
“We can increase productivity, create decent jobs and strengthen resilience by translating ambition into action and coordination into results,” said Ms. Mohammed. “We can make food systems a powerful engine to accelerate progress on all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that leave no one behind.“