Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Food Systems Summit will be convened by the United Nations next October, as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit aims to launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all seventeen SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems.
In this context, a pre summit virtual meeting was held, yesterday, between the Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, the UN Resident Coordinator based in Mauritius, Mrs Christine Umutoni, Heads of Delegations and representatives of Member States.
In his address during the e-meeting, the Minister underlined that the vulnerabilities faced by food systems, notably, climate change; water scarcity; land degradation; flash floods; loss of biodiversity; pest and disease outbreaks and; subsequent ban on exports, amongst others, call upon all stakeholders to think ahead and be prepared. This Summit, he said, will enable all stakeholders to share their knowledge and ideas as to how to address the challenges with regard to food systems, and contribute to build a common position for the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Gobin observed, has alerted all countries including Mauritius, to take stock of respective vulnerabilities regarding food systems. The pandemic has not only been a health calamity but has also caused economic hardships, severe disruption in services as well as restrictions on movement putting the food, health and economic system under severe stress, he added.
Given the indispensable role of food and the basic need for food supply stability, the Minister pointed out that there is a need to reconsider our food systems, the way we produce, process and consume locally, and take into account sustainability, distribution channels and the avoidance of food waste.
Speaking of participation of stakeholders and engagement as regards food systems locally, Minister Gobin underscored that five national dialogues were recently organised in Mauritius so as to secure areas pertaining to: sustainable production; climate change adaptation and mitigation; new technology in the food value chain; accessibility to land and other production resources; development of the livestock sector; addressing labour shortage; youth involvement; and addressing food loss and wastage.
Food Systems Summit 2021
Guided by five Action Tracks, the Summit will bring together key players from the worlds of science, business, policy, healthcare and academia, as well as farmers, indigenous people, youth organizations, consumer groups, environmental activists, and other key stakeholders.
The Summit aims to generate significant action and measurable progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as raise awareness and elevate public discussion about how reforming our food systems can help us all to achieve the SDGs by implementing reforms that are good for people and planet.
Developing principles to guide governments and other stakeholders looking to leverage their food systems to support the SDGs would also be one of the goals of the Summit. Before, during and after the Summit, stakeholders will come together to bring about tangible, positive changes to the world’s food systems.
