Ethiopia, co-hosting with Italy, will welcome the 2nd United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa from July 27–29, 2025. This global summit will be a crucial opportunity to evaluate progress since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, identify ongoing challenges, and reaffirm commitments towards creating food systems that are sustainable and fair for everyone.
The 2021 summit successfully spurred national efforts to transform food systems worldwide, encouraging countries to develop action plans that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to hunger, health, and poverty. However, despite these efforts, food systems—particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—continue to face significant pressure from climate change, conflict, market disruptions, and economic instability. These issues have unfortunately worsened food and nutrition insecurity and increased inequality.
UNFSS+4 aims to:
- Review country-level progress and pinpoint effective strategies.
- Strengthen partnerships and accountability measures.
- Unlock funding and investment for solutions that can be scaled up.
One of the most pressing issues in food systems today is malnutrition and widespread micronutrient deficiencies. In many LMICs, a substantial portion of the population simply cannot afford a healthy diet. Diets often rely heavily on staple foods, with limited access to diverse and nutrient-rich options. This is especially concerning for vulnerable groups like children under five and pregnant women, who require nutrient-dense diets for proper growth and development.
Animal-source foods (ASFs), such as milk, meat, and eggs, provide a concentrated source of high-quality protein and essential micronutrients that are difficult to obtain solely from plant-based foods. Therefore, ASFs are a vital component of strategies to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and combat various forms of malnutrition in LMICs.
However, ASFs remain less affordable in lower-income countries compared to high-income settings. To improve access to ASFs, we need to enhance livestock productivity, improve market efficiency, and increase household purchasing power. Additionally, context-specific strategies are essential to ensure that livestock development is both environmentally sustainable and economically inclusive.
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) plays a key role in this agenda by conducting research and developing innovations to improve the sustainable use of livestock. ILRI's work supports national and global initiatives to build food systems that are more resilient, equitable, and capable of providing safe, nutritious, and accessible diets for all. By promoting practices that boost livestock efficiency, reduce poverty, and improve nutrition, ILRI directly complements the goals of UNFSS+4 and helps drive the transition towards sustainable food systems.
As countries and stakeholders gather at UNFSS+4, ILRI emphasizes the crucial role of livestock as part of the solution to food and nutrition challenges in LMICs, ultimately contributing to better lives and a healthier planet through research and innovation.
