The UN Food Systems Summit concludes, with a massive turnout and presence of high-level ministers, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and official governments. Closing remarks were given by H.E. Taye Astke-Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Taye Astke-Selassie, emphasized advancing the action mandate for the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Secondly, a UN-led ground movement to include the youth being active participants in the agricultural sector with the help of advanced technology including AI. Third, scaling possibilities, working with investors and financial sectors using the 15 Investment Ready-made model. A third of the 400 trillion USD should at least be in the process required for food system transformation. Fourth, the CSO has a unique role to play in effective public mobilization by adding cultural value with accountability. Fifth, the voice of women and youth capability should never be underestimated as they are the key to success.
H.E. Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, gave his thank-you speech at the UNECA, mentioning primarily the Government of Ethiopia for being a co-host country of the 2nd UNFSS+4 and highlighted that the 2030 SDG will continue and not only stop at this level. Secondly, UNFSS+4 is not only about a development priority but also a foreign policy for internal cooperation COP15 on biodiversity.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, applauded the team who made the 2nd UNFSS+4 a success, mentioning the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Health Organization (WHO), and Secretary-General of UNECA, H.E. Claver Gatete. In addition, Ms. Amina highlighted Rome, New York, Nigeria, Nairobi, and Geneva who have made this possible in the process of implementing the right resources for the success of the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit 2025 to be hosted here in Addis Ababa in collaboration with the Italian Government. Finally, Her Excellency called upon urgent action to finance for deepening implementation on national pathways to food systems.
Ermias Tilahun , Correspondent ,Addis Ababa
