UN-Habitat’s Contribution

• Side Events:

Elevating the discourse, UN-Habitat actively contributed to various sessions, channeling relevant messages including the role of local and subnational governments, territorial approaches, working with cities networks, urban-rural linkages including food systems, and UN coordination (including the Local2030 Coalition).

Aligning with the summit’s objectives, UN-Habitat played an active role in the side event titled: “City, Subnational and National Governments Join Actions with Multiple Actors Towards Healthy, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Food Systems.” The event was co-organized by FAO, Local 2030 Coalition, Politecnico di Milano, UN-Habitat, and 20 other organizations. The wide array of speakers, drawn from various organizations such as the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and from Italy, Morocco, and Niger shared knowledge, experiences and perspectives which enriched the discussion covering territorial approaches to food systems.

UN-Habitat also participated in the virtual side event organised by the Secretariat of the Community of Portuguese speaking Countries (CPLP) on Territorial Governance for the transformation of sustainable and inclusive food. Interesting lessons were learned from countries such as Cape Verde and Brazil.

• Bilateral Engagements:

As part of the summit, UN-Habitat engaged in strategic bilateral consultations to advance sustainable urban development. Key discussions included finalization of an MOU with FAO, to be signed in September 2023. The discussions also enabled updates on joint normative products under development and firming up on a 2023 regional workshop on food systems in Cairo, Egypt.

UN-Habitat also held strategic engagements with WFP on various thematic commonalities, and with UN Nutrition, specifically on joint efforts to advance sustainable nutrition. Similarly, UN-Habitat held discussions with IFAD and the Nigeria delegation to chart ways to continue collaborating.

The Road Ahead

The UN Food Systems Summit +2 proved pivotal in replenishing the momentum and concerted efforts towards sustainable food systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda. For UN-Habitat, the new partnerships formed have expanded the global efforts to this common goal. In addition, the renewed partnerships through MOUs and other forms of agreements continue to solidify the resolve to achieve sustainable food systems for all.