Delivering closing remarks on the UN Meals Programs Summit +4 Stocktaking Second (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, Ms. Mohammed praised the rising momentum behind meals techniques transformation.
However she additionally warned that with simply 5 years left to 2030, “starvation and malnutrition persist. Local weather shocks, battle, debt, and inequality are widening the cracks in our techniques.”
“Too usually meals techniques are seen as a part of our challenges,” she mentioned. “When the truth is, they are often one of many biggest options to ship for individuals, planet, peace and prosperity.”
A worldwide course of for transformation
The UN Meals Programs Summit course of was launched in 2021 “within the midst of a world pandemic” to catalyse nationwide and international motion to make meals techniques extra inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
The 2025 stocktake introduced collectively over 3,000 contributors from governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and the non-public sector to evaluate progress and renew commitments.
Up to now, greater than 130 nations have developed Nationwide Pathways for meals techniques transformation, supported by UN companies and growth companions.
Shifting the UNFSS course of ahead
In her tackle, Ms. Mohammed highlighted a number of areas of progress and known as for pressing, coordinated motion:
- Meals techniques as local weather options:
“Meals and agriculture at the moment are a part of the local weather plans of 168 nations,” she mentioned, noting their potential to cut back emissions and construct resilience. - Faculty meals as a strategic funding:
Over 170 nations are implementing faculty meal programmes. These will not be simply meals – they’re investments in kids, our farmers, and the long run. - Cities driving innovation:
City centres are main efforts to cut back meals waste and strengthen native provide chains. Cities are displaying what innovation seems to be like on the bottom. - Inclusion is important:
Ms. Mohammed known as for inclusion of youth, Indigenous Peoples, ladies, and marginalized communities. “These are highly effective commitments to remodel meals techniques for individuals and the planet that you’ve helped encourage.” - Financing should match ambition:
She urged donors and growth banks to align investments with nationwide pathways.
“As we conclude this Stocktake, we should acknowledge that we met within the face of challenges that take a look at our ethical values and threaten the long run sustainability of our planet, underscoring the urgency of our work collectively.”
© WFP/Michael Tewelde
A meals market within the Amhara area of Ethiopia.
World starvation declines, however regional disparities persist
The Summit, which has been working within the Ethiopian capital since 27 July, noticed the launch of the State of Meals Safety and Vitamin within the World 2025 (SOFI) report, which revealed a modest decline in international starvation – however a troubling rise in meals insecurity in Africa and Western Asia
Collectively produced by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, the report highlights how persistent meals value inflation has undermined entry to wholesome diets, particularly for low-income populations. Susceptible teams – together with ladies, kids, and rural communities – stay disproportionately affected.
The report requires:
- Coherent fiscal and financial insurance policies to stabilize markets
- Open and resilient commerce techniques
- Focused social safety for at-risk populations
- Sustained funding in resilient agrifood techniques
Whereas noting an encouraging lower within the international starvation charge, the report underscored that progress is uneven. SOFI 2025 serves as a essential reminder that the worldwide neighborhood should intensify efforts to make sure that everybody has entry to enough, secure, and nutritious meals.
Hope for individuals who want it most
At a key facet occasion on Tuesday, Ms. Mohammed appealed for long-term, inclusive options to meals insecurity in crisis-affected areas. She highlighted the staggering toll of acute malnutrition, noting that over 37 million kids below 5 will face acute malnutrition this yr – almost 10 million of them affected by extreme losing, the deadliest type of undernutrition.
“Communities are trapped in relentless cycles of hardship,” she mentioned. “However braveness is on show in any respect moments.”
Ms. Mohammed urged governments and companions to maneuver past short-term interventions and embrace transformative, domestically pushed options. She praised nations embedding resilience into nationwide methods and mixing conventional information with science to rebuild meals techniques.
“These governments will not be ready for permission – they’re main,” she mentioned.
She outlined three priorities for motion: Catalytic finance that builds native capability; Coordinated responses that bridge humanitarian and growth divides; and Neighborhood-centred approaches, particularly for girls and youth.
“Meals techniques transformation is very essential in complicated settings,” she mentioned. “It drives meals safety, resilience, stability, and inclusive development.”
She wrapped up the occasion with a name to strengthen multilateralism and unlock alternative “for and with those that want it most.”
UN Picture/Daniel Getachew
UN Deputy Secretary-Basic Amina Mohammed (left) serves meals to kids at a UN Meals Programs Summit occasion in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Trying forward
Ms. Mohammed closed the Summit with a name to motion:
“Our motion has proven what is feasible after we work collectively in deliberate methods throughout sectors, stakeholders, and nations with a shared function.”
She known as on governments and other people all over the place to construct on what has been achieved and proceed to work collectively for peace and to appreciate the imaginative and prescient of the 2030 Agenda.
“Let’s proceed to cleared the path – collectively.”
