UNFSS+4 (6) Main events 28/07

27–29 July 2025. Addis Ababa. 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4)

Extracts of the main program

28/07 Plenary: High-Level Opening “Harnessing a changing world for the future of sustainable food systems”

Lead: Ethiopia and Italy

09:00 - 10:50 | Room CR1 Concept note

Inspiring experiences of impactful policy convergence will be shared by decision makers, while practitioners will reflect in depth on the enablers and barriers of ongoing transitions. A crucial enabler of accelerated efforts at-scale, finance and investments will enjoy heightened focus, structured to operationalize the outcomes of the Financing for Development (FfD4) Conference.

High-Level Statements from Heads of State and Government

• H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President, Republic of Kenya
• H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President, Federal Republic of Somalia
• H.E. Azali Assoumani, President, Union of Comoros
• H.E. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Republic of Liberia
• H.E. Kashim Shettima, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
• H.E. Jessica Alupo R.E., Vice President, Republic of Uganda
• H.E. Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Cuba
• H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson, African Union

Panel discussion: Unlocking Resources for a Resilient Food Future

• Mr Peter Bakker, President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO, Filiera Italia
• Elizabeth Nsimadala, East Africa Farmer’s Association
• Dina Kebede, Youth Representative

Closing remarks

• QU Dongyu, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development
• Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme

28/07 Advancing Accountability through Science

Advisory Committee (SAC)-led Session

12:00 - 12:50 | Room CR5 Concept note

• Dr Shakuntala Thilsted Chair, SAC of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Dr Stefanos Fotiou Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• H.E. Demba Sabally Minister of Agriculture, The Gambia, National Convenor

Panel Discussion

• Mr Jarot Indarto Director of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) National Convenor of Indonesia  
• Prof Kaosar Afsana Professor at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University Scientific Advisory Committee Member 
• Prof Shenggen Fan Chair Professor and Dean of Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, Co-Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee 
• Dr Jean Francois Soussana Vice President for International, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, SAC Co-chair Co-Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee

28/07 Strengthening Enabling Conditions through Effective Policy Mechanisms

Lead: World Business Council for Sustainable Development

12:00 - 12:50 | Africa Hall Concept note

• Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
• Sebastian Lukas Bych Denmark Government representative:
• Eija Hietavuo  Tetra Pak, Chief Corporate Affairs
• Kaori Ono Ajinomoto, Executive Officer General Manager Sustainability, Japan

28/07 Food Producers-led session

Lead: Agroecology Coalition, Asian Farmers Association (AFA) and Eastern Africa Farmers

Federation (EAFF)

15:00 - 16:20 | Room CR5

The session brought together producer organizations, smallholder representatives, policymakers, and financial actors to explore how producers, through their organizations, can actively shape decision-making processes, equitably access resources, and hold systems accountable. It will also examine the contributions and solutions provided by farmers’ organizations in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems.

28/07 Accelerating Investment through Innovative Finance 

Lead: FAO 15:00 - 16:20 | Africa Hall Concept note

The session discussed innovative financial mechanisms and instruments that can mobilize increased, targeted and better investment for agrifood systems transformation. It highlighted the current state of financing for agrifood systems, innovative solutions, new mechanisms, opportunities and challenges to mobilize targeted investment with impact at scale.

• H.E. Reuben Phiri Mtolo, Minister for Agriculture, Zambia 
• H.E. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda 
• Ms. Jen Haugen, Deputy Director of Global Food Security Hub, FCDO 
• Ms. Alice Ruhweza, President, AGRA 
• Mr. Matthias Berninger, Executive Vice President, Bayer 
• Ms. Shobha Shetty, Global Director, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, the World Bank 
• Mr. Jacob Oduor, Lead Economist, West Africa Region, African Development Bank 
• Mr. Giulio Dal Magro, Head of Funding, International Development Cooperation, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti of Italy
• Ms. Ana Herrera, Director of Inclusive Investment, Technoserve
• Mr. Máximo Torero Cullen, FAO Chief Economist

28/07 Data and AI for Food Systems Transformation

Leads: UN Global Compact (UNGC) & World

Economic Forum (WEF)

16:30 - 18:00 | Africa Hall

This session focused on strategies to mobilize private sector investments, implement market-based solutions, and elevate the transformative potential of data and technologies such as artificial intelligence for agrifood systems, emphasizing their capacity to optimize productivity and improve quality. The discussion addressed persistent inequities – shaped by uneven resource distribution and the under-valorization of data – by showcasing practical examples of inclusive innovation, such as solutions co-developed with farmers and tailored to the real needs of local communities. 

Including:Juan Lucas Restrepo Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

28/07 Public finance, Trade, and Responsible Investments to Accelerate the Transition

Lead: IFAD and WB 

16:30 - 18:00 | Room CR1 Concept note

Promising and innovative country-led financing solutions are emerging, combining domestic, development, and private capital that empower small-scale entrepreneurs, women, and youth. This flagship session—featuring the UN Deputy Secretary-General, ministers, IFIs, private sector and small agri-entrepreneurs—will assess progress and risks, and engage the audience in bold, country-led financing solutions that inspire action. Let us rise to the moment—financing food systems transformation with urgency, ambition, and unity.

28/07 Launch of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 (SOFI)

Lead: FAO and partners

18:30 - 20:00 | Africa Hall Concept Note

The 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report provides the latest updates on the food security and nutrition situation around the world, including new estimates on the cost and affordability of healthy diets.

OPENING KEYNOTE SEGMENT

• Ms Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
• H.E. Taye Atske Selassie Amde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy

PARTNERS SEGMENT

• QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO
• Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD
• Cindy H. McCain, Executive Director, WFP
• Catherine M. Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF (video message)
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO (video message)

SETTING THE SCENE

• Máximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist, FAO

CLOSING REMARKS

• H.E. Wellington Dias, Minister for Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Report: FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. (2025) The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 234 pp.