The issue:

The issue of global hunger remains one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time, due to complex challenges such as climate change and inefficient food systems.   

Developing nations are actively pursuing the modernization of traditional agriculture practices to bolster food safety and security. However, transitioning from subsistence-oriented production systems to more sustainable, market-oriented ones demands substantial improvements across the entire agri-food value chain, starting from farm-level productivity, to mechanization, storage and logistics. Such a transition necessitates investments, technology, scalable innovations, and the buy-in of governments and stakeholders alike.  

Sustainable agri-food chain transformation has a need for tailored, high-impact solutions that consider factors such as climate, infrastructure and socio-economic conditions. High-impact solutions to transform food systems can drive significant positive change across multiple dimensions. They have the power to tackle food security, environmental sustainability, and livelihoods by involving a combination of strategies, such as investing in rural development, reducing food waste and post-harvest losses, and building resilient value chains. 

A comprehensive transformation requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses technological advancements, policy reforms, and collaborative partnerships. The private sector is needed to bring innovation, efficiency, and investment to food systems. Governments, on the other hand, need to provide policy frameworks, regulatory support, and public investments to create an enabling environment for food system transformation. 

As an example, smart farming, advanced technologies and the use of data-driven insights play a pivotal role in creating resilient food systems and optimizing a sustainable use of resources by reducing the environmental footprint. Innovative technologies can enable farmers to make informed decisions, minimize waste, conserve water and enhance their agricultural practices, which is fundamental to a thriving food system.  

Equally crucial is the efficiency and resilience of supply chain distribution. Robust infrastructure, efficient logistics with strong regional and global connections are also critical components to reducing food waste and to sustainably transform food systems. By optimizing transportation, storage, packaging and distribution, food losses can be substantially reduced.  

To achieve these goals, a synergistic and integrated approach by fostering collaborative partnerships, and implementing supportive policies is needed to successfully implement high-impact solutions to address market fragmentation and improve food security. 

Objectives:

This session will explore the opportunities for innovative, collaborative, and high-impact solutions to address global food security challenges. It will focus on partnerships between the private sector, government, and other stakeholders to develop scalable solutions that can be replicated across diverse contexts to sustainably transform agri-food value chains by considering:  

• The multidimensional impact: Identification of high-impact solutions that can drive positive change across various dimensions, including food security, environmental sustainability, and livelihoods. 

• An integrated approach: Discuss which policy reforms and collaborative partnerships are needed to support the design and implementation of innovative solutions to drive transformative change. 

Key guiding questions:

• What are examples of high-impact solutions that have been successfully implemented in agri-food supply chains to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability?  

• What are the key characteristics of high-impact solutions to transform agri-food systems?  

• What are the most critical gaps that need to be addressed to enable more effective decision-making and problem-solving in agri-food supply chain transformation?  

• How can partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations be leveraged to develop and implement high-impact solutions?  

• How can we ensure that innovative food security solutions are equitable and inclusive? 

Expected outcomes:

• Explore the role of policies and private sector collaboration: Attendees will walk away with lessons learned on the importance of integrating technological advancements, implementing supportive policies, and fostering collaborative partnerships in driving sustainable agri-food chain transformation, including specific examples from the panelists.  

• Enhanced multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive forward long-term, sustainable agri-food transformation: Participants will gain insights into how innovative high-impact solutions can contribute to improved food security, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced livelihoods. They will also understand how these solutions can create positive side effects across various sectors. 

Session format and structure

This high-level moderated discussion will showcase successful high-impact initiatives and will set the tone for future partnership-based solutions with the private sector as catalyst.  

Moderator

Panelists