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UN Deputy Secretary-General Called For Urgent Action To Fix Global Food Systems | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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UN Deputy Secretary-General Called For Urgent Action To Fix Global Food Systems

Posted 31 Jul 2025

2 min read

The call for reform in the global food systems was made at the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

  • She also launched the 2nd biennial UNFSS+4 report to review progress in global food systems. 
  • The UN Food Systems Summit was launched in 2021 for ensuring more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.

About Food Systems

  • Definition: It encompass the entire range of actors and their interlinked value-adding activities involved in the production, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries, etc. 
  • Importance: Global food systems carry hidden social, economic, and environmental costs of $11.6 trillion
    • Social: It has deep interconnections with all SDGs (health, Zero Hunger Goal, biodiversity, etc.).
      • 783 million people are chronically hungry.
    • Economic: Provide significant employment to agricultural households
    • Environmental: Account for over:
      • 30% of global emissions
      • 80% of biodiversity loss
      • 70% of freshwater use

Why Food Systems Are Failing?

  • Climate Shocks: Frequent disasters damage crops and disrupt food supply chains
  • Rising Debt: Debt burden in Least Developed Countries rose from 3.1% to 12% of revenue (2010–2023), reducing money for health and education. 
  • Weak Infrastructure: One-third of food is lost or wasted due to poor storage, transport, and market access. 

Way ahead for resilient Food Systems

  • Private investment and build local capacity
  • Coordinated action linking emergency aid with long-term development
  • Community-led solutions, especially for women and youth

Key Initiatives to Improve Food Systems

  • COP28 UAE Declaration: 160 Governments agreed to link food systems with national climate strategies.
  • COP15 & COP16 Biodiversity Frameworks:  Set 23 targets for food system reform, backed by an implementation plan and funding.
  • World Food Programme: Trains smallholder farmers for good agricultural practices, post-harvest management, business and marketing skills
  • Other initiatives: Food systems are now a top priority, with initiatives like the Apulia Food Systems Initiative (by G7) and the G20 Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
  • Tags :
  • SDG
  • Food System
  • UNFSS+4
  • Zero Hunger Goal
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