Regional Meeting on Food Systems Transformation in Europe and Central Asia in Geneva

On 23–24 April, the 4th Europe and Central Asia Food Systems Transformation Meeting took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event was held on the margins of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE region and served as an important platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, academia, and other stakeholders.

The meeting aimed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a food systems approach, while leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems with climate change, hunger, health, and sustainable development.

Participants reviewed progress achieved across countries in the region, as well as persistent challenges. Key issues discussed included access to healthy diets, the need to support smallholder farmers, the inclusion of women and youth, and the integration of innovation and digital solutions. Particular attention was paid to policy coherence, investment mobilization, and overcoming fragmentation across sectors.

Discussions emphasized the importance of shifting from a focus on food availability toward ensuring food security and nutritional quality. The role of the science–policy interface and data-driven decision-making was highlighted as essential for effective policy design and implementation.

Countries shared national experiences in transforming food systems. These included examples of applying digital technologies and artificial intelligence in agriculture, developing national platforms and monitoring systems, and promoting healthy nutrition initiatives.

Special emphasis was also placed on the concept of transformational innovation, which entails systemic change through strengthened collaboration across sectors, institutions, and generations.

Participants reaffirmed the need to further strengthen regional cooperation, enhance knowledge and experience exchange, and accelerate the implementation of integrated solutions to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems across Europe and Central Asia.

SIC ICWC was represented at the meeting by O. Usmanova.