Food Systems have a profound impact on our economies, our health and the environment said UN Chief launching the World Food Week

Food systems are one of the main reasons we are failing to stay within our planet’s ecological boundaries said UN Chief.

“The systems that bring food to our tables have a profound impact on our economies, our health and the environment” stated UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his video message for launching the World Food Week.

But they can also be the key to tackling the climate crisis, addressing soaring biodiversity loss and healthier societies he added.

“This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of our food systems. Millions more people are hungry, and millions of jobs have been lost” emphasized the Secretary-General.

He also reminded that the the climate emergency continues apace.

UN Chief said to address these issues, he is convening a Food Systems Summit next year and added that the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme highlights the Summit’s timeliness.

Stating that it will be  ‘People’s Summit’ and a ‘Solutions Summit’ Guterres also further explained that there will be a pre-Summit meeting in Rome which will build on inclusive country and regional dialogues and will define bold actions for inclusive and sustainable food systems.

The Food Systems Summit will be held at UN Headquarters in New York, in conjunction with the UN General Assembly in September and it will bring the attention of all world leaders to the issue.

Secretary-General urged everyone to join the conversation and concluded his message saying “We need global engagement and action for inclusive and sustainable food systems”.