General Debate Delivering better: accelerating urgent and transformative action to achieve the SDGs by 2030

Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

Agrifood systems transformation is a key integrator for accelerating progress across all three dimensions of sustainable development. The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 and its Four Betters reflect the critical role of this transformation in the fight against poverty, hunger and inequality, as well as its interlinkages with other Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to water, energy, infrastructure, cities, climate, biodiversity, health, employment and partnerships.

At the core of our efforts is an evidence-based foundation to support Members' decision-making. In addition to its custodianship of 22 SDG indicators, FAO provides key food and agriculture statistics through FAOSTAT, AQUASTAT, FISHSTAT and other databases, as well as through seven flagship publications and other robust analytical products-many of which are global public goods. Similarly, we offer tools such as the Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform and the Food Security Risk Intelligence and Early Warning Room, which integrate data from multiple internal and external platforms to help drive action.

Translating ambition into investment is also essential to our work. FAO provides context-specific support to technically and financially derisk investments, drawing on some of the aforementioned tools and deploying technology, infrastructure, blended finance and other innovative financing mechanisms. Moreover, FAO assists Members in preparing tailored investment plans that demonstrate both their profitability and their impact in reducing poverty, hunger and inequality, as well as their contribution to other development goals.

FAO also serves as a platform for dialogue, partnerships and coordination. It convenes governments, the United Nations system, financial institutions, academia, civil society, youth and the private sector around evidence-based solutions aligned with international commitments and national priorities, as well as collaborative frameworks that unlock finance.

FAO initiatives that exemplify this unique approach across the three dimensions of sustainable development include the flagship Hand-in-Hand Initiative, the FAO Global Roadmap, Blue Transformation and the Financing for Shock-Driven Food Crises Facility. Supporting these concrete contributions and ensuring coherent engagement across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is FAO's dedicated Office of Sustainable Development Goals.

Looking ahead, FAO is preparing a Ministerial Conference on Agrifood Systems Transformation for Sustainable Development: Delivering 2030, Shaping What Comes Next, to be held in March 2027. The Conference will focus on accelerating delivery towards 2030 and informing the strategic choices that lie beyond it.

Thank you.