HLPE-FSN calls for collective action and science-based policies at CFS 53

Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

To quote a Nobel prize winner of Literature, Bob Dylan: « The times, they are a-changin'. ». The landscape of food systems is changing, due to environmental and socio-economic disruptions, and numerous conflicts. Trade wars suggest that we may be in a period of “deglobalization” that threatens international supply chains. Climate change is undermining food security, while today’s food systems contribute around one-third of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Most major public health challenges derive from unhealthy diets. Conflicts, where often food is used as a weapon, result in starvation and environmental destruction that will take decades to heal.

In this “new normal”, we need food systems that promote human rights, guarantee food security and nutrition for all, and sustain natural resources.

But aid and public funding are limited. Also, there is mounting disinformation and dis-trust of experts.

Our way forward is more knowledge and science. Knowledge, to assess what are the priorities, who are the most marginalized and where they are. Knowledge, to monitor and evaluate, helping to find the best solutions, and making governments and business accountable and responsible. Knowledge to enhance agency, the capacity of individuals to make their own decisions about food, a powerful way to address the root causes of food insecurity and progress towards the realisation of the right to food.

This year, the HLPE-FSN celebrates its fifteenth anniversary since its establishment as the Science-Policy-Interface of the CFS. Our strength comes from our experience of diverse local contexts, our inter-disciplinarity and the modalities of work with the CFS, the policy-making body. The HLPE reports, open to public consultations, are independent from governments’ positions and they are inclusive of different points of view.

Bringing together stakeholders with different perspectives and interests to determine shared priorities is extremely challenging. The HLPE-FSN provides a balanced analysis of complex issues, a common basis to start the discussion on policy. We rely on scientific evidence and on the traditional and local knowledge of communities and indigenous peoples. It is this inclusive, evidence-based process that enables collective action to transform food systems.

As the departing chair of the HLPE-FSN, I will take the opportunity to bring you up to date on our work during this year. In addition to the report Building resilient food systems, we have prepared two background notes at the request of the CFS: one on Tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation through the right to food and another Note on Strengthening responsible investments and financing for food security and nutrition. We have co-organized, under the leadership of the CFS chairperson, a High-Level Panel on “Science, knowledge and innovation for just transformation” at the UNFSS stocktake in July.

We have started preparing our next report on Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices, as well as a Note on Family farmers and the fourth Note on Critical, Emerging and Enduring issues. There will be soon a consultation on the scope of the report on Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, providing an opportunity to update CFS knowledge on a topic on which the HLPE-FSN wrote 10 years ago.

All these requests show that the CFS relies increasingly on the HLPE-FSN, to provide scientific advice well beyond the yearly report. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of Ambassador Jezile, for this close collaboration.

Science can provide the evidence needed for informed and effective action. But science cannot fill the vacuum created by policy inaction. Dear policymakers, your leadership is critical in turning the science we provide into bold and strategic action. 

* HLPE-FSN Chairperson opening statement, at the 53rd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security, 20 October 2025, FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy.