FAO chief calls for urgent action on agrifood systems

At the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, urged global leaders to speed up the transformation of agrifood systems through bold action, increased investment, and stronger partnerships.

Speaking to ministers, leaders, and delegates, Qu stressed that agrifood systems play a key role in tackling global issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and inequality. “Transformation is not a distant ambition. It is already happening,” he said. “But the pace, scale, and coordination of our collective action will determine whether we succeed. The challenge now is not only action, but acceleration.”

Qu reflected on progress since the first UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. He noted that many countries have moved from promises to action, using policy changes, investments, and planning. Ethiopia was highlighted as a successful example, with FAO support helping cut post-harvest grain losses by up to 40% in some areas.

The Director-General identified three main areas to focus on for transformation:

1. Youth empowerment:
Qu stressed the need to support young people, especially young women, in agrifood systems. He cited FAO’s assessment on Youth in Agrifood Systems, noting that bridging gaps in education, jobs, and leadership could add up to US$1.5tn to global GDP—almost half coming from agrifood systems.

2. Innovation and technology:
Qu highlighted tools like the FAO-led Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) and the World Food Forum’s focus on investment, science, and youth empowerment. He also mentioned the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which uses data to target funding where it is most needed, growing from us$1.5bn in 2022 to US$4.5bn in 2024.

3. The Right to Food:
Qu emphasised that food system changes must be fair, transparent, and inclusive. He pointed to FAO’s support for the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger, launched under Brazil’s G20 Presidency.

“We are making systems transformation the new normal — hand in hand with governments, investors, academia, civil society, and the private sector,” Qu added.