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Launch of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2024

08 November 2024, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General for the Launch of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2024
Value-driven transformation of agrifood systems

Language English

Duration 6m20s

Edit Version Full Mix

Video Type Video Message

Date 11/08/2024 12:38 PM

File size 459.19 MB

Unique ID UF18SEG

Production details and shotlist

Script Ladies and gentlemen,
1. I am pleased to launch the 2024 edition of The State of Food and Agriculture, SOFA.
2. This year’s report focuses on how to increase the benefits that our agrifood systems provide.
3. This report builds on the 2023 edition of the SOFA report, in which we confirmed that the global hidden costs of agrifood systems exceeded ten trillion US dollars.
4. The results covered environmental hidden costs from greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen emissions, blue water use and land-use change,
5. Health hidden costs from unhealthy dietary patterns,
6. And social hidden costs from poverty and under-nourishment.
7. The 2024 edition updates those cost estimates, divides them by agrifood system types, and charts a course for transformative change in our agrifood systems.
8. First, to understand what actions are needed, this year, we refine our understanding of these costs, particularly in the health sector, which constitute 70% of global hidden costs.
9. Addressing undernutrition and unhealthy dietary patterns is an important part of the transformation we need.
10. Second, we note the diversity of agrifood systems around that world, each facing unique challenges and requiring targeted interventions.
11. There is no single transformational strategy.
12. Historically, agrifood systems have transitioned from traditional to industrial, each with varied outcomes and hidden costs.
13. For this reason, the report explores how hidden costs manifest themselves in different agrifood system types worldwide.
14. There is the burden of non-communicable diseases in formalizing and industrializing agrifood systems,
15. But also, the persistent challenges of poverty and undernutrition in traditional agrifood systems.
16. And in agrifood systems experiencing protracted crisis there are considerable environmental and social hidden costs, which touch the lives of people everywhere around the world – and we need context-specific solutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
17. In the transformation of agrifood systems, we need to ensure that we do not increase power imbalances, as well as environmental and social hidden costs.
18. For example, agrifood systems employ an estimated 1.23 billion people globally, yet despite their critical role in providing employment, they do not always ensure an acceptable standard of living and quality of life.
19. And the challenges extend beyond wages.
20. Producers, who are on the front line of the impacts of the climate crisis bear a significant share of the burden, while facing challenges to adopt sustainable practices.
21. Mechanisms need to be put in place to ease their financial and administrative burdens, and to act as an incentive for transformation.
22. Businesses and investors in agrifood systems also have critical roles to play. Agri-businesses range from micro- and small enterprises to global corporations, and their influence can drive sustainable practices across supply chains.
23. Finally, there are consumers, the largest group of agrifood actors.
24. Consumer demand for healthier, sustainable and green production practices can be a significant driver of change across agrifood supply chains.
25. Opportunities exist to align consumer demand with environmental sustainability and healthier diets.
26. For this we need a combination of financial tools, digital and educational programmes, and regulations, based on data and science.
Ladies and gentlemen,
27. These entry points for action requires efficient, effective and coherent collaboration between policymakers, producers, consumers and financial institutions.
28. There is a need to ensure that the benefits and costs of transformation are equitably distributed among stakeholders in agrifood value chains.
29. The SOFA Report provides country case studies to guide transformative policy actions and investments in individual countries, in support of informed decision-making.
30. SOFA highlights the need to bridge sectoral divides, align policies across health, agriculture and the environment, and ensure that the benefits and costs of change are equitably distributed, including across generations.
31. The choices we make now, the priorities we set and the solutions we implement will determine our shared future.
32. Real change begins with individual actions and initiatives,
33. Supported by enabling policies and targeted investments.
34. The transformation of global agrifood systems is fundamental to achieving the SDGs and securing a prosperous future for all.
35. I hope this report serves as a call to action for all of us and inspires our individual and collective actions to ensure the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.
36. Thank you.

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