Millions go hungry while food is wasted, UN SG

More than 780 million people are going hungry despite the fact that nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted.

This is according to United Nations (UN) secretary-general Antonio Guterres, who said more than three billion people cannot afford healthy diets, while two billion are overweight or obese and 462 million are underweight.

He made these remarks at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 stocktaking moment, which took place last month at the headquarters of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in Rome.

Guterres said it is outrageous that in a world of plenty, people continue to suffer and die from hunger.

System broken

Two years ago, the Food Systems Summit helped shine a spotlight on a core truth: That global food systems are broken and billions of people are paying the price, he said.

"And without access to financing and debt relief, developing countries are struggling to invest in food systems that can reach all people with the nutrition they need to live healthy lives."

Meanwhile, unsustainable food production, packaging and consumption are feeding the climate crisis, generating one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, using 70% of the world’s freshwater and driving biodiversity loss on an epic scale, he added.

"Many communities are one shock away from plummeting into food insecurity or even famine.”

There is enough

Guterres said there is more than enough food in the world to go around.

"More than enough money to fund efficient and sustainable food systems to feed the world, while supporting decent work for those to grow the food we eat. “And more than enough agricultural innovations and technology that can place healthy food within reach of every person."

He added that the good news is that countries are heeding the alarm they sounded in 2021 when they convened the first Food Systems Summit.

"Over 100 countries have submitted voluntary progress reports on food system transformations."

Guterres, however, noted that urgent action is needed to invest in sustainable, equitable, healthy and resilient food systems.

"We also need greater investments in adaptation and resilient food, health, water, sanitation and agriculture systems that can withstand shocks, as well as early warning systems."

End senseless hunger

Guterres urged governments and businesses to work together to build systems that put people before profit.

"We need food systems that can help end the senseless war on our planet. Food system transformation is fundamental to reducing carbon emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius."

Transformation means new, sustainable food systems that can reduce the carbon footprint of food processing, packaging and transportation, he said.

"It means demanding that governments and businesses take stronger and faster action to tackle the climate crisis and deliver environmental and climate justice. And it means all countries committing to reaching net-zero emissions – developed countries by 2040 and emerging economies by 2050. Food systems and all the systems that support it – including transportation – must contribute to this great global effort."

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