Governments need to prioritize an integrated, nutrition-sensitive, and evidence‑based policy approach to healthy diets that is grounded in the Right to Food Guidelines. Laws and policies should be informed by data and science to uphold the right to food for all, particularly vulnerable groups. Governments should establish clear policy goals based on assessed food security, nutrition and food safety needs using robust monitoring systems while promoting inclusive economic growth and the sustainable development of agricultural and food markets.
Effective governance requires transparent, science- and evidence-informed and accountable institutions that enable people to feed themselves in freedom and dignity. This includes securing equitable access to natural resources; strengthening data systems for land and resource governance; fostering inclusive decision-making that engages local communities, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth; and forging public-private partnerships with mechanisms for accountability.
The One Health approach recognizes that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment is closely linked: Governments should invest in science, innovation, and early warning technologies to prevent and control plant and animal pests and diseases, zoonotic diseases, tackle antimicrobial resistance, ensure food safety, and address environmental health threats. This requires strengthening national organizations through training, international standards, digital surveillance, diagnostics, data sharing, and infrastructure that enable timely, evidence-based responses alongside sustainable agricultural practices.
Grounded in the Right to Food, governments should develop, update and implement food-based dietary guidelines and food safety standards that are grounded in scientific evidence and integrated into food security and nutrition strategies. These guidelines should inform school food and nutrition programmes, public food procurement and food assistance. Strong political leadership is needed to ensure uptake across sectors, alongside incentives for the private sector to deliver healthier, sustainably produced foods.
Governments should strengthen global cooperation and ensure, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, safe, timely and unimpeded access for humanitarian and emergency agriculture assistance. This includes supporting data‑driven needs assessments, anticipatory action, and innovative delivery mechanisms to reach populations affected by crisis and shocks.
Governments must design policies to support small-scale producers by enhancing access to finance, markets, services, data and appropriate innovations and technologies, while investing in rural infrastructure. Participatory, inclusive and equitable approaches such as Farmer Field Schools should be scaled up, combining scientific knowledge with local and traditional practices to improve productivity, resilience and livelihoods.
In an effort to better prepare for and respond to shocks, governments need to adopt a comprehensive, science‑based agrifood systems approach to resilience integrating climate risk information, disaster risk reduction and environmental sustainability. Investments should focus on land restoration, water management, soil health and climate adaptation using innovation and data to strengthen preparedness, early action and long‑term resilience.
Governments need to strengthen adaptive and shock‑responsive social protection systems that are informed by data and aligned with food security and nutrition objectives. Well‑designed social protection is an investment that supports livelihoods, cushions shocks, prevents crises from escalating and contributes to inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.
The Codex Alimentarius sets science-based standards for food safety and nutrition labelling regulations. Effective implementation requires enforcement, monitoring and innovation in labelling and communication, combined with public awareness and education to support informed consumer choices and behavioural change.
Governments should prioritize efficient, evidence-based and ecosystem‑based policies that promote nutrition, dietary diversity and sustainability across crops, livestock and fisheries to agroforestry. To encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices, it is crucial to provide training, innovation, digital tools and, when appropriate, financial incentives that are aligned with environmental and climate goals.
Consumers need to be encouraged to make healthier food choices through public awareness campaigns, nutrition education in schools, community interventions and point of sale information, including clear and consistent food labeling practices. Harmful food taboos and discriminatory social norms should be addressed using evidence, dialogue and inclusive approaches. Governments need to partner with academia, civil society and independent institutions to build trust and protect consumers’ rights.
Science, technology and innovation, combined with traditional knowledge, are powerful drivers of agrifood systems transformation. Governments must invest in the infrastructure, education and institutions that make this possible: funding research and extension services, promoting STEM learning, strengthening national innovation systems, and creating enabling policies and regulatory frameworks. By engaging with scientific communities and treating innovation and technology as global public goods, while adapting them to local contexts and safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem health, governments can ensure that new knowledge benefits everyone.
Collaborate with FAO to transform agrifood systems through science‑based policy support, innovation, capacity development and inclusive dialogue. FAO can support Members through technical assistance, governance strengthening, South–South and Triangular Cooperation, and Committee on World Food Security (CFS) policy guidance to advance the right to food and ensure a better life and future for all.
