Forging Sustainable Food Systems for the Future: A view from Senegal and Guatemala

In a world of plenty, the issue of widespread hunger and food insecurity remains a persistent challenge on the road to a sustainable future. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the Russian invasion of Ukraine has thrown global food, fuel and fertilizer markets into disarray. About 735 million people, today, face some form of hunger.

It is time to invest in a reinvigorated food system- that prioritizes sustainable food production along with the resilience of farmers and the restoration of ecosystems.

UN Resident Coordinators and their teams are working with Governments and partners to strengthen the whole agricultural value chain and build long-term resilience for small-holder farmers. Forging innovative partnerships and providing technical assistance, they are helping countries make a steady shift away from dependence on food imports and towards self-sufficiency.

In the conversation above, Guangzhou Qu, Director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Liaison Office in New York, sits with Aminata Maiga, UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal and José Miguel Barreto, UN Resident Coordinator in Guatemala to discuss how they are helping their countries move the needle on transforming food systems.