A new report from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlights growing global progress in transforming food systems as countries work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Released ahead of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the report examines progress made since the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit and outlines how governments are increasingly integrating food systems transformation into national development strategies.
The report, titled Five Years After the United Nations Food Systems Summit: Progress, Gaps and Priorities Towards 2030, finds that countries are using food systems approaches to address interconnected challenges, including food security, nutrition, climate change, biodiversity protection, livelihoods, and economic resilience.
According to the report, 130 countries have developed national food systems transformation pathways, with 39 countries already creating detailed implementation plans. The growing movement has been supported by collaboration among governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, research institutions, and private sector partners.
Global progress has been strengthened through international stocktaking events held in 2023 and 2025, along with regional reviews that allow countries to share experiences, address challenges, and improve cooperation. These efforts have helped keep food systems transformation as a key priority within the global sustainable development agenda.
The report also highlights the role of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, which has supported coordination across the UN system and worked with countries to advance national food systems plans. Since its establishment in 2022, the Hub has helped connect governments, development organizations, youth groups, researchers, and businesses to maintain momentum between global discussions and local action.
Despite progress, food systems transformation continues to face challenges caused by rising debt levels, limited government budgets, climate-related disruptions, conflicts, economic uncertainty, and declining development assistance. However, the report identifies increased investment efforts as a major area of advancement.
One example is the Joint SDG Fund’s Food Systems Transformation Window, launched with support from the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. Since 2024, the initiative has provided US$32 million across two funding rounds and brought together 14 UN agencies working with Resident Coordinators in 26 countries. These programmes are expected to help generate more than US$360 million in additional financing from governments, financial institutions, and private sector partners by 2027.
The report also points to new investment-focused initiatives launched in 2026, including efforts in Cameroon to strengthen food system financing, reduce investment risks, and develop partnerships that support sustainable agriculture and food security.
Looking ahead, the United Nations is calling for continued investment in country-led solutions, stronger governance, inclusive partnerships, and responsible innovation. The report emphasizes that food systems transformation can play a central role in addressing multiple global challenges while accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
