Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

Last month, the UN Secretary-General’s Food Systems Summit brought together tens of thousands of people with a shared ambition: to drive urgent action to accelerate our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve the 17 SDGs.

And to do so through the power of transformed food systems.

Leaders from 165 governments and a wide range of partners agreed that business as usual is no longer an option.

And governments made bold commitments to transform their food systems.

They were joined by similar commitments and declarations from youth, women and Indigenous Peoples…food producers…and partners from across the private sector.

But the Summit was just the start of a much longer process.

We must maintain the momentum of the last 18 months — and ensure that commitments are translated into action and results for all people in all countries.

The Committee on World Food Security remains an essential part of this process of transformation.

This Committee provides a unique platform for all food systems stakeholders to come together in support of food security and nutrition for all.

And CFS policy products and voluntary guidelines helped shape and inform many of the national dialogues and work streams we discussed at the Summit.
 
Several multistakeholder initiatives and commitments drew on CFS products.

And the CFS contributed an invaluable report offering a renewed narrative as we look ahead to the food systems we need by 2030.

This process also benefitted from the tireless engagement of the CFS Chair, Ambassador Thanawat Tiensen.

I want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for his steadfast leadership and commitment.
 
As we work towards 2030, we all have a role to play.

And CFS leadership will be essential as we continue supporting countries in this process of transformation.   

As you continue with the complex discussions ahead of you, I urge you to keep aiming high.

Let’s push forward together, as we transform the world’s food systems — for people, for our planet, and for our shared prosperity.

Thank you.