Leaders commit to tackling global hunger, climate change, biodiversity loss and inequities at UN Food Systems Summit
October 2, 2021 | By Maryam Farag
The first-ever UN Food Systems Summit convened world leaders in an effort to spur national and regional action to deliver the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transforming food systems.
It featured commitments from over 85 heads of state around the world.
Following from the latest IPCC report, which raised a ‘code red’ for human-driven global heating, the U.S. administration pledged $10 billion to address climate change and food insecurity.
Half of these funds will be invested domestically in “recognition that all countries, even those that produce a surplus of food, must take steps to improve nutrition and adapt their food systems to a changing climate.”
The COVID-19 pandemic increased poverty levels by up to 124 million people and undernourishment by around 9.9 per cent.
We are committed to ensuring Indigenous Peoples can help lead the way forward.” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who announced New Zealand would join the Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems Coalition.
Other countries pledged support for indigenous rights, including Honduras, Samoa, Peru and the Philippines.
The United Arab Emirates announced the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate launched with the U.S.
“We must use the power of ingenuity to improve on food systems so they provide safe, nutritious, affordable, and accessible food for all, while conserving natural resources, and combating the climate crisis,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary, Agriculture.
New five-year funding of US$922 million focussed on nutrition was also announced by Melinda Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
