Europe and Central Asia unite for food systems transformation ahead of UNFSS+4

28/04/2025

3–4 April 2025, Geneva – Held alongside the 2025 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, the UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting for Europe and Central Asia brought together a diverse and wide range of stakeholders, including government representatives and National Convenors, youth leaders, civil society, academia, private sector actors, and UN agencies. Co-organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the UN Issue-Based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the gathering welcomed voices from almost 24 countries to shape a collective regional vision for food systems transformation ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) this July.

Set in UN Palais des Nations, discussions focused on three key themes of the Stocktake: reflecting on progress on food systems transformation, strengthening accountability and governance, and unlocking investment for transformation.

Shared challenges, common goals for Europe and Central Asia

Despite their diversity, countries across Europe and Central Asia face similar challenges: rural–urban disparities, climate-related challenges , increasing malnutrition, and disruptions in supply chains and trade due to conflicts. Yet a shared ambition was clear – to integrate food systems transformation into broader climate, development, and health strategies.

UNECE’s Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean opened the meeting by noting that progress on over 100 of the region’s 125 SDG targets remains off track. In a video address, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed urged participants to move beyond dialogue and deliver “tangible commitments to action and investments to match.”

National Convenors and representatives highlighted efforts to embed transformation into national strategies, from local initiatives to national frameworks that promote sustainability, food waste reduction, innovation, and rural development.

ECA high-level remarks

High-level opening remarks on Day 1 of the UNFSS+4 Regional Meeting for Europe and Central Asia.

Governance, data, and accountability

A central theme of the two-day meeting was inclusive governance and the need for stronger, evidence-based decision-making. Many countries reported progress in inter-ministerial coordination, legislative reforms, and the development of national food systems strategies. Strengthening data collection and analysis at both national and local levels was recognized as essential for navigating the complexities of sustainable food systems. Participants emphasized that technological advancements and better data are key to shaping more resilient and responsive policies.

“With 39 National Convenors and 26 national pathways, the region is advancing transformation through integrated national programmes that address food security, nutrition, climate, and sustainability,” said Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Participants emphasized the role of youth, civil society, and local actors in shaping and holding systems accountable. Multistakeholder collaboration and platforms such as the UNFSS Coalitions of Action – especially on school meals and agroecology – were seen as effective mechanisms for aligning regional priorities and mobilizing support.

The importance of shared responsibility was echoed by Viorel Gutu, FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia and Co-chair of the IBC-SFS: “This year, working closely with countries across the region, I have seen first hand how critical it is to adjust the terminology related to food systems transformation into a language that is more accessible to governments, and show practical examples of transformative action.”

The private sector's role was also in focus. Participants agreed that voluntary corporate social responsibility is no longer enough – stronger regulatory frameworks and financial incentives are needed to drive accountability. With 90% of businesses in the region being SMEs, tailored mechanisms are essential. Investors were called upon to align capital with sustainability goals.

Converging climate action and food systems transformation: A call for systemic alignment of agendas

Climate change remains a major threat to food systems, particularly in Southern Europe and Central Asia. As the fastest-warming continent, Europe is already experiencing significant climate impacts. In response, countries are turning to agricultural diversification and climate-smart practices to enhance resilience, ensure food security, and reduce environmental degradation.

Concern was raised about declining global investment in agrifood research and innovation – despite growing urgency. Bridging the gap between science and policy was seen as essential. Participants called for inclusive participatory approaches that empower farmers and communities not just as implementers but as co-creators of solutions.

Underscoring this, Italy’s Special Envoy for Food Security, Stefano Gatti, stressed: “Farmers are not the enemies of climate goals—they are the guardians of the land. Food systems transformation must reconnect with the land, traditional crops, and the cultural identity of communities.”

Food systems were also recognized as key to environmental health. Their current trajectory is contributing to the transgression of planetary boundaries, from biodiversity loss to water stress. The recently launched FAO Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia 2024 highlights the growing strain on water resources—a vital factor for both food security and climate resilience. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are already disrupting food production, with further effects on food safety, nutritional quality, and pest distribution.

To reverse these trends, countries emphasized the need to fully integrate food systems into national climate strategies, including updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The Hub’s Convergence Initiative was highlighted as a key platform supporting this alignment, with recent pilots in Kazakhstan and Türkiye demonstrating its potential to bridge food systems and climate action.

Unlocking finance for transformation and private sector’s role

Access to sustainable finance was widely acknowledged as critical. Participants called for enabling environments that support smallholders and cooperatives and align finance with national and climate goals. A strategic mix of incentives and regulatory tools is needed to attract private capital while ensuring direct support for small-scale producers.

Fiscal policies that reflect the true cost of food – including its environmental and social impacts – were identified as necessary levers for more equitable and sustainable consumption. Innovative financing models, such as blended finance, biodiversity-linked funding, and outcome-based approaches, are being explored across the region. Despite budget constraints, participants stressed that long-term investment in innovation and infrastructure must remain a priority.

A united vision

The meeting closed with a strong sense of shared direction. Countries emphasized the need for:

Deeper policy integration across sectors and levels of government;
Inclusive governance that brings in youth, women, and civil society;
Greater access to sustainable finance for small producers and innovation;
Stronger alignment between food and climate agendas through national plans and actions;
Evidence-based decision-making supported by robust data systems.

Reducing food loss and waste, reshaping diets, and empowering small producers were identified as urgent next steps. Above all, food systems transformation must be rooted in the human right to food – ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all.

These regional insights will inform global discussions at the UNFSS+4 Stocktake in Addis Ababa, helping to ensure Europe and Central Asia’s priorities are reflected in the next phase of global food systems transformation.