UN Secretary-General António Guterres's praised"Ethiopia's commitment in aligning food policy with climate and environmental goals."

• by admin - 0 minutes
• 0
• 215
• 3 min read
• 440 words

UN Secretary-General António Guterres's praised"Ethiopia's commitment in aligning food policy with climate and environmental goals."

=======================================================================

In his video message to the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Secretary-General António Guterres powerfully emphasized that food systems are far more than just food; they encompass nutrition, justice, health, education, decent jobs, and the right to a better future.

He acknowledged significant progress since the first summit: two-thirds of countries have integrated food systems into national development plans, over a hundred aligned with climate and biodiversity goals, and 155 countries are advancing national conveners to engage business, civil society, Indigenous peoples, farmers, and youth. The UN system's Food System Coordination Hub is actively partnering with these nations.

However, Guterres stressed that despite these strides and the "Pact for the Future's" call for inclusive, sustainable, equitable, resilient, and human rights-rooted food systems, progress is not fast or fair enough. Hunger is rising, trade shocks are pushing food prices higher, and a staggering one-third of the world's population cannot access a healthy diet, while another third of global food is wasted or lost. The hidden costs of weak food systems, in all their aspects, amount to a staggering $10 trillion annually – more than three times the GDP of the entire African continent. Nearly 40% of the global workforce is linked to food systems, yet many remain trapped in poverty.

The SG declared that the crisis is not one of scarcity, but of justice, equity, and climate. Climate change directly impacts harvests, supply chains, and humanitarian responses, while conflicts continue to drive hunger, further eroding peace and creating multiple crises. He underscored that every dollar invested in nutrition yields up to a 23-fold return, making food systems a major pillar for achieving all 17 #SDGs.

Guterres specifically lauded Ethiopia's commitment in aligning food policy with climate and environmental goals, but urged the need to broaden alliances to implement these policies. He called for breaking down silos, harnessing new technologies including #AI, ensuring corporate accountability, and strengthening leadership commitment. He also advocated for strengthening governance to include diverse voices and for critical finance solutions: debt relief, concessional finance, and a reform of the global financial system to address these challenges.

Finally, he emphasized the urgent need for a global finance agreement at #COP30 to close the finance gap for a just transition. The ultimate goal, he concluded, is to work together to strengthen food systems and draw prosperity from the ground up for all.