Engaging Science in Food System Transformation: Toward Implementation of the Action Agenda of the United Nations Food Systems Summit

In the “Chair Summary and Statement of Action on the UN Food Systems Summit,” the UN Secretary-General emphasized the role of science for the transformation of the food systems. A “Food Systems Follow-up Coordination Hub” and “Country Level Platforms led by the (national) Government(s)” will lead the follow-up on the UNFSS Action Agenda. A community of science and knowledge organizations relevant to food systems research (food systems-relevant science landscape, FSSL) is envisioned to support the implementation of the agenda to transform food systems. This chapter outlines a concept for the contribution of science for implementation of the UNFSS Action Agenda at the national, regional, and global levels. The contours of the national-, regional- and international-level FSSL are outlined for engagement with policy and stakeholder communities. Also, a framework for mapping the national level FSSL for individual countries is exemplified.

There is need for a global science-policy interface (SPI) on food systems linked with national and regional SPIs. For successful implementation of the Action Agenda and the transformation of food systems, countries’ local research capacities need to be enhanced.