Europe and Central Asia convene in Geneva to accelerate food systems transformation from commitments to implementation at scale
Geneva, Switzerland, 23–24 April 2026 – Countries and partners from across Europe and Central Asia convened in Geneva for the 4th Europe and Central Asia Food Systems Transformation Meeting, part of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub’s 2026 Food Systems Transformation Regional Meeting Series supporting country-led pathways toward 2030. The meeting was organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, in collaboration with the UN Issue-Based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, participants focused on advancing implementation of national food systems pathways – strengthening coordination, aligning policy and finance, and taking stock of progress, challenges and financial risks in a rapidly evolving food systems finance landscape. Discussions explored country-level examples and actors across priority areas, with a focus on strategic financing and investment pipelines that deliver measurable results across food security, nutrition, climate, and livelihoods, while exchanging practical, country-led solutions in collaboration with international financial institutions.
Meeting purpose and focus
The meeting enabled peer-to-peer learning on post-UNFSS+4 progress and priorities, strengthened collaboration among countries and partners, promoted scalable solutions, and supported country-level implementation and investment aligned with national pathways and the SDGs.
Discussions were anchored in the UN Secretary-General’s UNFSS+4 Call to Action priorities, including: urgent delivery in fragile settings; policy coherence and coordination; finance and investment; integrated sustainability dimensions; science and innovation (including digital and AI-enabled tools); and intergenerational collaboration with youth as co-leaders.
Regional emphasis
Participants highlighted a complex regional landscape shaped by economic volatility, climate pressures, and shifting trade dynamics. While many countries have relatively high income levels, food insecurity and malnutrition persist in several countries, with over 100 million people affected by moderate or severe food insecurity and healthy diets remaining unaffordable for many households.
Price volatility, trade uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, and climate and environmental impacts – including drought, water stress, land degradation, and biodiversity loss – are placing increasing strain on food systems across the region. At the same time, countries are adjusting trade routes and market strategies, creating new opportunities for transformation.
Against this backdrop, discussions emphasized the need to strengthen coherence across food, climate, health, trade, and social protection policies, while scaling data systems, science, and digital innovation to better inform decision-making and de-risk investments. Participants also highlighted the importance of accelerating investment in climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, water management, and sustainable value chains, alongside ensuring inclusive approaches that support smallholders, local enterprises, women, and youth, and improve access to healthy and safe diets.
Participants also underscored the region’s strong innovation potential, while noting persistent capacity gaps in applying data and technology to support implementation on the ground. Regional cooperation and peer learning were highlighted as essential to bridging these gaps and scaling solutions across diverse contexts.
Stakeholder Solutions Labs provided an interactive, marketplace-style format to discuss selected initiatives with potential to translate into concrete, actionable solutions. Bringing together partners across the region, the labs showcased practical, evidence-based approaches, shared implementation lessons, and helped connect country needs with partnerships and support at regional, national, sub-national and local levels. Youth played an active role in shaping and contributing to these solutions, bringing forward perspectives on innovation, implementation, and future-focused approaches.
Quotes
- Elisabeth Türk, Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): “Across Europe and Central Asia, our food systems face significant structural vulnerabilities. Climate change is intensifying droughts, heatwaves, floods, and water scarcity, placing pressure on crops, livestock, and rural livelihoods. For this transformation to succeed we need to strengthen cooperation, investment, and policy coherence.”
- Raimund Jehle, Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and Co-Chair, Issue-based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS): “From Lisbon to Vladivostok, the diversity of Europe and Central Asia makes agrifood systems both complex and full of opportunity – as a powerful accelerator of the SDGs, now is the time to turn post-UN Food Systems Summit momentum into coordinated, whole-of-system action that delivers scaled, inclusive results on the ground.”
- H.E. Ambassador Julien Thoeni, Deputy Permanent Representative and Head of the Multilateral Division, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations and other international organizations: “This dynamic, multi-stakeholder ecosystem provides a unique platform for strengthening cooperation, aligning policies, financing, and innovation, and accelerating the transition toward resilient, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable food systems. The national pathways have a fundamental role to play in helping countries navigate a geopolitical landscape marked by volatility and uncertainty.”
- Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Coordinator, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub: “Food systems transformation is not a peripheral or optional agenda; it sits at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda, shaping progress on hunger and malnutrition, climate action, biodiversity, health, livelihoods, equity, and economic resilience. The UNFSS+4 Call to Action now provides a shared framework for accelerating implementation and ensuring that food systems serve as a powerful driver of progress across the SDGs.”
- Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (video message): “We must move from commitments to implementation at scale. This requires stronger governance and institutions. It requires better alignment of policy, planning, and delivery. We must ensure the continuity and resilience of food systems under stress.”
Media contact
Alissa Collins, Senior Advocacy Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
Email: [email protected]
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For updates, visit: https://www.unfoodsystemshub.org/
