These are just some of the problems and contradictions laid bare by the UN Secretary-General on Thursday at the opening of the landmark UN Food Systems Summit, which is bringing together farmers and fishers, youth, Indigenous Peoples, Heads of State, governments, and many more, in an effort to transform the sector and get the world back on track to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

For António Guterres, “change in food systems is not only possible, but it is also necessary”; for the people, for the planet, and for prosperity.

The UN chief warned, though, that COVID-19 has made the challenge much greater.

The pandemic has deepened inequalities, decimated economies, plunged millions into extreme poverty, and raised the specter of famine in a growing number of countries.

At the same time, Guterres said, the world is “waging a war against nature and reaping the bitter harvest”, with ruined crops, dwindling incomes, and failing food systems.

Food systems also generate one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, he added. And they’re responsible for up to 80 percent of biodiversity loss.

Solutions

Over the last 18 months, through national dialogues, governments gathered businesses, communities, and civil society to chart pathways for the future of food systems across 148 countries. Over 100,000 people came together to discuss and debate solutions.

From those discussions, came many proposals. Guterres chose to highlight three key areas of action.

Support health and well-being

First, there’s a need for food systems that support the health and well-being of all people.

Recalling that nutritious and diverse diets are often too costly or inaccessible, Guterres said he is pleased to see the many Member States rallying around universal access to nutritious meals in schools.

Protect the planet

Second, he argued that the world needs food systems that protect the planet.

“It is possible to feed a growing global population while also safeguarding our environment. And it takes countries coming to COP26 in Glasgow with bold, targeted plans to keep the promise of the Paris Agreement,” he said. “The war on our planet must end, and food systems can help us build that peace.”

Support prosperity

Third, and finally, food systems need to support prosperity.

“Not just the prosperity of businesses and shareholders. But the prosperity of farmers and food workers, and indeed, the billions of people worldwide who depend on this industry for their livelihoods,” argued the UN chief.

Highlighting the selfless workers who have toiled in the fields and transported food during the deadly pandemic, he said “these women and men have been the unsung heroes of the last 18 months.”

Despite that, “too often, these workers are underpaid, even exploited.”

COVID-19 recovery

These systems represent 10 percent of the global economy and, because of that, Guterres believes they “can be a powerful driver for an inclusive and equitable recovery from COVID-19.”

To make that a reality, though, he said governments need to shift their approach on agricultural subsidies, and employment support for workers.

They also need to re-think how they see and value food, “not simply as a commodity to be traded, but as a right that every person shares.”

The Secretary-General assured that the UN would continue towards this end, together with the international community. The organization is convening a follow-up summit, in two years, to take stock of the progress.

In the meantime, the UN chief said more businesses need to join in the work and the voice of civil society needs to continue pressing for change.

“And throughout, we need the engagement of the people at the center of our food systems. Family farmers, herders, workers, Indigenous Peoples, women, young people. Let’s learn from each other, and be inspired by one another, as we work together to achieve the SDGs,” he concluded.