Geneva/New York, November 18 – The existing food systems, battered by coronavirus that caused widespread famine in poor countries, need fundamental change in order to feed the planet’s growing population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the World Economic Forum said. The current world population is 7.8 billion.
WEF said food industry, government and business leaders will hold a virtual conference in Geneva at which civil society and the public will also participate to discuss issues and share solutions at the Bold Actions for Food as a Force for Good event November 23-24.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is planning to convene a Food System Summit during the UN General Assembly session in September 2021 in an effort to steer the world to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, which include food security and ending poverty. The WEF conference is independently organized in support of UN food summit in 2021.
“The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated vulnerabilities in food systems – highlighting the insecurity of rural livelihoods, the tragedy of food waste, and stark inequities in access to healthy food,” WEF said. “As the global population races to 10 billion, more needs to be done to feed the planet while tackling the environmental impact of agriculture and addressing lack of biodiversity.”
WEF said the conference will look for a vision of the food systems of the future in order to tackle the urgent food crisis from the perspectives of government levels to farmers, young entrepreneurs and influencers. The conference will build a stronger food system that will be more sustainable and equitable. WEF said the Wageningen University and One Young World will host sessions featuring new innovations from young students and entrepreneurs.
Key sessions will be livestreamed on the Forum’s website. To participate in the meeting, ask questions and share ideas, please register for the Forum’s TopLink platform. Members of the media can request accreditation here. )
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