Joining forces for agrifood systems transformation: highlights of the 5th Global Conference of the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme

Over 300 in-person participants and more than 1,200 online followers from over 40 countries gathered for the 5^th Global Conference of the Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Programme of the One Planet Network (OPN). Held over three days in May 2025 in Brasilia, and co-organized by FAO, the event marked a milestone in global efforts to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.

One of the conference’s key successes was its ability to convene a wide range of food systems actors – from governments, civil society, research institutions, the private sector, youth and Indigenous Peoples – creating a space to collectively explore how to overcome barriers to the implementation of transformative food systems policies. Discussions emphasized the importance of democratizing food systems decision-making by ensuring that diverse voices are included throughout the entire process –  from identifying needs and conducting consultations to policy design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Political will and local innovation in action

As host country, Brazil contributed significantly to the conference, drawing on its long-standing global leadership in tackling food insecurity and malnutrition. The government demonstrated strong political commitment through the active involvement of the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger and other key ministries. National and local initiatives showcased included sustainable public procurement for healthy diets, social protection policies, and innovative school meal programmes.

The learning journeys organised on the second day of the conference provided participants with a first-hand look at transformation in action, bringing them to community gardens, school feeding initiatives and research-led innovations. These experiences illustrated how agrifood systems transformation is grounded in both policy and practice, demonstrating that sustainable, long-lasting transformation happens when public policy aligns with lived experience and community-led action. Brazil’s multisectoral food and nutrition governance was also highlighted, particularly the National Council for Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA) – a unique mechanism where two-thirds of members represent civil society, including smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, women and other marginalized groups, with no representation from commercial interests.

© FAO/Elena Ambühl. The Organic Community Garden “Instituto Girasoles”, the largest urban garden in the Federal District of Brasilia.

These experiences were presented alongside contributions from other countries, reflecting the global nature of the event. Switzerland presented its Climate Strategy for Agriculture and Food 2050, targeting climate resilience, food literacy and waste reduction, alongside its new Nutrition Strategy (2025–2032). Costa Rica emphasized reducing agrochemical use, preserving forests and producing zero-deforestation commodities through a multisectoral approach supported by 11 national institutions. These examples highlight diverse strategies driving agrifood systems transformation. 

A call to protect the right to food

In his opening address, FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero emphasized that food systems transformation must be grounded in human rights and sustainability:

“The agrifood system provides the right to food. What we need to do is ensure that we have the right to food today and tomorrow. This is how we advance what we call our Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind. This right matters. The right to food is under threat. In Gaza, FAO latest analysis show catastrophic food insecurity and the breakdown of essential services. We see similar crisis in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Haiti. That is why FAO joined Brazil and others to launch the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.”

This call echoed throughout the conference. Across sessions and workshops, participants emphasized that placing human rights at the centre of agrifood systems transformation is not only a moral imperative but also key to ensuring inclusive and sustainable solutions. Many underscored the importance of sowing and weaving together rights-based actions – rooted in civil society engagement and supported by evidence, inclusive dialogue and political leadership.

As Ana María Suárez Franco, Secretary General of FIAN International stated,

“Policies and strategies fostering the right to food must go beyond charity-based approaches: it is about overcoming dependence and building autonomy.”

Reframing governance for coherence and convergence

FAO had a leading role in co-organizing a number of sessions and workshops. In particular, the session “Convergence and Coherence: Aligning Policies and Actions on Climate, Biodiversity, Inequalities and Nutrition through the Food Systems Nexus” explored how to break down policy silos and foster integrated governance. Moderated by David Nabarro, Strategic Director at 4SD, the session benefited from high-level contributions from representatives of the governments of Brazil, Yemen and Switzerland; the Municipality of Copenhagen; Food Rights Alliance (Uganda); AGREA Agricultural Systems International (Philippines); and an introductory keynote the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).

© FAO/Elena Ambühl. Panel discussion, Session 3: “Convergence and Coherence: Aligning Policies and Actions on Climate, Biodiversity, Inequalities and Nutrition through the Food Systems Nexus”.

A powerful insight came from Agnes Kirabo, Executive Director of the Food Rights Alliance (Uganda), who stated:

“If we want transformative food systems, decisions must no longer be made behind closed doors. People must be at the heart of policymaking”.

The session emphasized the importance of institutionalizing food systems coordination mechanisms at global, national and local level, empowering sub-national actors and embedding equity and rights-based approaches in all those policies. 

Bridging global dialogue with national and local solutions

Solutions workshops complemented plenary sessions by enabling participants to exchange experiences and ideas in smaller groups. FAO co-led Workshop 5 under the SFS Programme's Working Group on National Pathways, focusing on aligning food systems, climate, biodiversity, nutrition and equity agendas. The workshop emphasized inclusive governance, particularly gender equality, youth participation and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, alongside legal reforms and aligned financing to improve policy coherence at national and sub-national levels. Among the experiences shared, Prof. Grace Mbong, UNFSS National Convenor of Cameroon, presented a multisectoral governance blueprint focused on rice value chain transformation through agroecological production and import substitution, supported by coordinated ministerial leadership and progress tracking through the Food Systems Countdown Initiative.

In Workshop 4, José Valls Bedeau, Policy Officer at FAO, presented Rethinking Our Food Systems: A Guide for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration co-developed by FAO, UNDP and UNEP, outlining five key building blocks for effective collaboration. Participants highlighted trust-building, facilitation and empowering non-state actors as essential for engaging under-represented groups.

Workshop 6 on circular food systems, co-led by FAO, UNEP and Brazil, focused on food loss and waste reduction as a lever for food systems transformation, leveraging legal frameworks, innovation and institutional coordination. Participants underscored the importance of embedding food loss and waste into national development and climate strategies, strengthening municipal capacity, fostering enabling environments for behavioral change and community-level action.

In the words of Gustavo Porpino, researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA):

“Wasting food is not just squandering resources: it is a direct threat to our biodiversity and undermines our cultural heritage. Yet, food waste mitigation also opens doors to business and social innovation.” 

Transforming agrifood systems across the urban–rural continuum in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean, home to the most urbanized population in the world, face unique challenges and opportunities in building fair and sustainable agrifood systems. In this context, FAO, through its Regional Office and in partnership with the Government of Brazil, convened the regional dialogue “Feeding cities in Latin America and the Caribbean.” The event brought together voices from Brazil, Peru and Argentina – spanning public authorities, civil society and consumers organizations –  to explore how to strengthen policies and strategies from local governments that ensure access to healthy diets from sustainable food systems.

As Pablo Barbieri from Cooperativa Obrera in Argentina stated:

“To transform how the whole system operates, we need to put power in the hands of the consumer, who is the one who pulls the chain.” 

Looking ahead

The One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme continues to serve as a dynamic platform supporting global, national and local stakeholders in scaling up action, sharing knowledge and advancing aligned efforts for food systems transformation.

In Brasilia, participants did not just discuss solutions, they witnessed them in action. From solidarity kitchens and agroecology initiatives to national policy councils like CONSEA, one message stood out: when those who contribute the most to agrifood systems and are most affected by its underperformance – workers, smallholder farmers, Indigenous communities, consumers – are meaningfully included in decision-making, positive transformation is not only possible, it becomes inevitable.

As the global community looks ahead to the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, the World Food Forum in Rome, and the COP30 in Belém, Brazil in November 2025, the task is clear: strengthen inclusive governance, scale proven solutions, align financing with action and keep the right to food at the heart of agrifood systems transformation.

More about the Conference

• Rewatch the sessions
  

  Day 1, 27 May 2025

  Day 2, 28 May 2025

  Day 3, 29 May 2025

• Read the outcome document
• Proceedings of the conference coming soon
• Visit the official website