Faster Transformational Change to Agrifood Systems
UN Food Summit aims for transformation
Rome/Vienna, 1 August 2023 – The United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) +2 Stocktaking Moment was held in Rome, Italy, and closed with the UN reiterating its Rome based agencies’ commitment to support nations in transforming global agrifood systems.
Another major announcement came from the UAE’s, who are have these years Presidency for UNFCCC COP28, who called on governments to demonstrate leadership by signing the first-ever Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action during the Food Systems Summit in Rome.
The Leaders Declaration will invite “national governments to align their national food systems and agriculture strategies, with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).”
FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, called the Leaders Declaration a “positive signal that policymakers are finally facing up to the fact that our current food systems are key obstacles to meeting the Paris and Biodiversity goals; but that positive transformation is possible”
“A truly sustainable and healthy food system should not harm the environment nor the animals in and surrounding it as well as proving climate and disaster adaptive and environmentally appropriate for the local community. It is respectful of the local, regional, cultural and socio-economic needs of people and importantly addresses overconsumption, notably in the Global North, whilst protecting people from malnutrition. This will also support us in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially zero hunger.”
Dr Jackson Zee, FOUR PAWS Director of Global Affairs & Disaster Resilience, concluded, “We know that the climate crisis is past the critical tipping point and that a food system transformation must be part of the solution to slowing the trend to 1.5C or even 2.0C We have our eyes on the SDG summit and COP28 later this year, we will continue to advocate that animal welfare is a policy perspective that can accelerate achieving the SDGs for climate, One Health and sustainable development.”
Background
The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment took place in Rome, Italy from 24th to 26th July 2023, at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It will be hosted in collaboration with UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the wider UN system.
The UNFSS event, held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organised is every two years to review progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
UNFCCC COP 28 will take place from 30 November until 12 December 2023 in Dubai, UAE.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org