Ms. Mohammed’ s high-level conferences, which happened between 22 and 25 February, geared toward addressing one of the crucial urgent problems with our time: the transformation of worldwide meals methods.
These discussions are a precursor to the much-anticipated UN Meals Methods Summit +4 (UNFSS+4), scheduled for July 28-30, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and co-hosted by the governments of Ethiopia and Italy.
Ms. Mohammed emphasised the crucial want for a holistic method to meals methods. “Remodeling our meals methods is crucial to driving progress throughout the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and delivering for everybody, in all places,” she said.
Her phrases resonated deeply with the varied group of stakeholders current, together with authorities officers, personal sector leaders, and representatives from civil society.
‘We want all fingers on deck’
The conferences in Nairobi weren’t nearly dialogue; they had been a name to motion. Ms. Mohammed highlighted the significance of public-private-community partnerships in attaining sustainable, inclusive, and resilient meals methods. “We want all fingers on deck to achieve meals methods transformations with the affect to advance on the 2030 Agenda,” she urged.
One of many key themes of the discussions was the pressing want to boost monetary mechanisms to help meals methods transformation. The UN deputy chief underscored the importance of securing concessional finance, investments, price range help, and debt restructuring. She pointed to the proposed SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a yr as a possible game-changer, providing fiscal house and assets to drive this transformation.
Ms. Mohammed additionally addressed the challenges posed by rising residing prices, social inequalities, local weather change, and geopolitical tensions. She harassed that these international points require a coordinated and complete response. “Our efforts should be built-in and inclusive, guaranteeing that nobody is left behind,” she stated.
Throughout her go to, Ms. Mohammed engaged with member states, personal sector leaders, and Nationwide Convenors of Meals Methods Pathways from 27 nations, each in individual and just about. These periods, held over two days, emphasised the urgency of collective motion to remodel meals methods.
Meals safety and schooling for all
As a part of her engagements in Nairobi, the Deputy Secretary-Normal visited Giga Kitchen, an initiative by Food4Education led by Wawira Njiru, the UN in Kenya Individual of the 12 months in 2021.
Food4Education has demonstrated the ability of innovation and collaboration in tackling meals insecurity. In simply two years, the group has scaled up from feeding 10,000 youngsters per day to 500,000, proving that community-driven initiatives, when supported by strategic partnerships, can obtain transformative affect at scale.
By leveraging expertise, environment friendly provide chains, and modern group engagement, Food4Education has not solely expanded entry to nutritious meals but additionally created a sustainable ecosystem that advantages each youngsters and small-scale farmers. By way of direct sourcing from smallholder farmers, the initiative has ensured a constant marketplace for native producers, strengthening meals methods whereas selling financial empowerment.
This mannequin highlights how modern, community-driven options can successfully and sustainably handle meals insecurity when built-in with authorities help and multi-stakeholder collaboration. By rethinking conventional approaches and embracing scalable, technology-driven options, initiatives like Food4Education set a precedent for sustainable improvement in meals safety and vitamin.
Upcoming UN summit
Looking forward to the UNFSS+4, Ms. Mohammed expressed optimism concerning the potential for significant progress. “We’ve the chance to reshape the worldwide narrative round meals methods, making them a key lever to speed up and reinforce SDG progress,” she remarked.
The summit, she famous, will construct on the momentum generated by earlier efforts and set the stage for a brand new period of meals methods transformation.
In concluding her mission, the Deputy Secretary-Normal convened a kick-off assembly hosted at AGRA Headquarters in Nairobi to launch the preparatory course of for the UNFSS+4.
AGRA, an company driving a meals system-inspired inclusive agricultural transformation throughout Africa, introduced collectively the UN Food Systems Advisory Group, high-level specialists, and thought leaders to outline the imaginative and prescient, technique, and roadmap for the Summit. Nationwide convenors in participation shared insights on breakthroughs, precedence wants, and expectations, shaping the course of the UNFSS+4 programme.
Whereas nonetheless at AGRA, Ms. Mohammed engaged with greater than 200 employees members, commending them for his or her dedication to remodeling African agriculture. She acknowledged AGRA’s African-led method, which has been instrumental in scaling agricultural improvements to enhance the lives of smallholder farmers.
“AGRA stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience, providing uniquely African options to the challenges confronted by smallholder farmers,” she remarked. “Your work isn’t just about growing agricultural productiveness – it’s about empowering communities, guaranteeing meals safety, and constructing sustainable livelihoods.”
Reflecting on AGRA’s achievements since its inception in 2006, she famous that its confirmed options have performed a pivotal position in strengthening African meals methods, bettering farmer incomes, and fostering financial development. She urged continued innovation, funding, and collaboration to speed up progress towards sustainable agriculture and meals safety throughout the continent.
Because the world faces growing challenges in meals safety, UNFSS+4 represents a crucial alternative to rally international motion, foster innovation, and strengthen partnerships to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient meals methods for the long run.
