United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS)

On World Food Day, 16 October 2019, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for a Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). The Summit provides an opportunity for global level planning and action on transforming food systems. The Summit brings together voices from every sector of society including civil society, non-government organisations, government, research organisations, and private organisations to drive impactful, meaningful change for food systems everywhere, making them stronger and more equitable. The UNFSS is a ‘People’s Summit’, with the aim of being as inclusive as possible. Key constituency groups include cities along with civil society, Indigenous Peoples, Member States, private sector, producers and youth.

There are five Action Tracks  with a focus on different aspects of food systems. Ideas for transforming food systems have been submitted by Member States and also via public forms from a diversity of stakeholders. Short-listed ideas are forming the basis of collaboration and consultation in the run-up to the Summit to identify solutions to food systems challenges. The ideas include issues relevant to urban areas and city governments. The case studies on this platform are evidence that cities are already working on local solutions to these challenges. There was a a pre-Summit event 26-28 July 2021 in Rome and the Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General will be held on 23 September 2021 in New York. Read about our reflections on the Pre-Summit.