With the slogan #LovePulses for a healthy diet and planet, this celebration presents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about pulses and the fundamental role they play in the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. This “get started” guide highlights the theme for the Day in 2024: "Pulses: nourishing soils and people", as well as key actions that everyone can take to celebrate the World Pulses Day. Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses in 2016, which was implemented by FAO, the United Nations General Assembly designated 10 February as World Pulses Day.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities. FAO Food Price fell further in January mainly on lower wheat and maize prices. Monthly release dates for 2024 (tentative): 5 January, 2 February, 8 March, 5 April, 3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 8 November, 6 December.

In the unfolding narrative of our global commitment to transform agrifood systems, we embark on a three-year journey encapsulated in COP28, COP29, and COP30, each step bearing distinct significance in our collective pursuit. It begins with COP28, a pivotal juncture where the curtains rise on the grand unveiling of the global roadmap. Set to commence on a momentous Sunday, the 10th of December 2023, this inaugural presentation marks the genesis of our comprehensive vision. Unveiled at the United Nations Climate Conference COP28, the Global Roadmap for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) without Breaching the 1.5°C Threshold outlines a comprehensive strategy spanning the next three years that encompasses a diverse portfolio of solutions across ten distinct domains of action.

The Food Systems Countdown Initiative aims to monitor the state of food systems transformation through relevant data, independent of any established monitoring processes. Such monitoring can help align decision-makers around key priorities, incentivize action, hold stakeholders accountable, sustain commitment by demonstrating progress, and enable course corrections. The Initiative is producing annual publications to measure, assess, and track the performance of global food systems toward 2030 and the conclusion of the Sustainable Development Goals. This policy brief – the first in a planned annual series – presents the Countdown indicators depicting the current state of national food systems. In doing so, it provides a starting point for future work to identify where things can be done better, provide ideas for how to get there, and inspire stakeholders (in particular, policymakers) that progress can and must be made.

Recognizing the important role adaptation plays for agrifood systems, and its prominence in the Paris Agreement, the paper presents and reflects on FAO’s repertoire of different adaptation actions and solutions. Complementing the conclusion of the Global Stocktake at COP28, it comprehensively summarizes FAO’s efforts to boost progress in global adaptation actions. The paper (a) emphasizes the importance of bringing agrifood systems into the global adaptation agenda and policy landscape; (b) creates a cross-sectoral portfolio of FAO adaptation solutions covering multiple scales and approaches; (c) gives an insight into FAO's work with partners and Members and presents relevant networks and collaborations. Laying out FAO’s guiding principles according to the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031, it underscores FAO’s efforts for transformative action in agrifood systems and demonstrates FAO's people-centered approach to climate change adaptation.