UN Food and Agricultural Organization Calls for Global Cooperation on Sustainable Food Systems

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has issued a call for global cooperation to find new ways to strengthen the sustainability of agri-food systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of continued global cooperation and outlined FAO's role in supporting the world through its COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and Geospatial Platform. The organization launched a new report on innovation in livestock systems and highlighted the need for impetus for climate action, response to COVID-19, and preventing future pandemics.

Key Takeaways:

  • FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of continued global cooperation to strengthen the sustainability of agri-food systems in the wake of COVID-19.
  • FAO has launched a new report on innovation in livestock systems and highlighted the need for impetus for climate action, response to COVID-19, and preventing future pandemics.
  • The FAO COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and Geospatial Platform are key initiatives in supporting global cooperation on sustainable food systems.
  • Over 90 ministers from around the world attended the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) to discuss innovation in sustainable food systems and prevent future pandemics.
  • The final communique adopted by agriculture ministers calls for action on climate change mitigation and adaptation, preventing further pandemics, and responding to COVID-19.
  • The communique reaffirms commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 to end hunger.
  • FAO's voluntary guidelines supporting the right to adequate food in the context of national food security were also reaffirmed.

Statistics:

  • Over 90 ministers from around the world attended the GFFA conference.
  • A record number of agriculture ministers signed up for a common political vision through the adoption of the communique.
  • The FAO COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme is a key initiative in supporting global cooperation on sustainable food systems.
  • FAO's Geospatial Platform is being used to improve digital infrastructure in rural areas.

Sources:

  • United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization press release, Jan. 22
  • FAO Director-General QU Dongyu's address to the Agriculture Ministers' Conference in Berlin
  • Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) closing press conference
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' message to the conference
  • Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)