The United Nations (UN) has announced that it will hold the Pre-Summit gathering for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit from July 19 – 21, 2021, in Rome, Italy, to deliver bold new ambitions.
The Pre-Summit will bring together the efforts and contributions of a global engagement process to shape ambition to transform food systems, according to the FAO in a press release.
The UN Food Systems Summit, slated for September in New York, alongside UN General Assembly, seeks to provide a platform for ambitious new actions, innovative solutions and plans to transform food systems and leverage these shifts to deliver progress across all of the SDGs.
Global leaders are expected to step up and launch bold new actions, solutions, partnerships, and strategies to “recover better” from Covid-19 and deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on nutritious, sustainable and equitable food systems.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi have both highlighted the importance of the three-day pre-summit to launch a set of new commitments through coalitions of action and mobilize new financing and partnerships.
The event will bring together youth, smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, researchers, the private sector, policy leaders and ministers of agriculture, environment, health, and finance among others to deliver the latest evidence-based and scientific approach from around the world.
It is expected to take place in a “hybrid” virtual format over the course of three days, during which many people will participate in person at the UN Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Rome, while others will join virtually.
Guterres said, “The Pre-Summit in Italy will be a key moment for mobilizing the bold commitments we need to build sustainable food systems that work for people, planet, and prosperity.
“Through accelerated action, we can help the world recover better from COVID-19, combat rising hunger and address the climate crisis”
On his part, Prime Minister Mario Draghi noted, “Italy is ready to welcome this key appointment of the Food Systems Summit in Rome. We want to address the issue of food security within our broad agenda as President of the G20.
“Together with the UN and its agencies based in Rome, Italy will engage with its partners to promote better agriculture, sustainable value chains and healthy lifestyles. I expect everyone to join us in a global effort to protect the environment with meaningful actions”.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA
