Expert urges developed nations to lead action in global food system transformation

An agricultural expert has urged developed countries to shoulder more responsibilities in addressing the impact of climate change on the global food system.

Fan Shenggen, chair professor at China Agricultural University, emphasized the crucial role of developed nations in leading the transformation of the global agrifood system.

He noted that while emissions from the industrial revolution in developed countries have significantly contributed to today's climate crisis, the impact on food security within these nations is comparatively less severe than in developing countries.

The urgency of this call to action is highlighted by the alarming statistics unveiled in the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, he said.

In 2023, some 733 million people were grappling with hunger. With 2.33 billion individuals facing moderate or severe food insecurity and over 864 million experiencing acute food shortages, the need for immediate and sustainable solutions has never been more critical, he added.

The professor underscored the importance of adopting greener and healthier dietary practices, such as increasing plant-based food consumption and reducing reliance on animal-based foods, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

He said that such dietary shifts could benefit around 42 percent of the world's population.

These remarks were made ahead of the World AgriFood Innovations 2024 conference, themed "Climate Change and Agrifood Systems Transformation," scheduled to take place in Beijing this October.

The conference aims to gather stakeholders from across the globe, including scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and young talents in agriculture, to delve into crucial topics in agricultural science and technology innovations.