An unsettling but important week in Rome for the World Food Forum

828m people go hungry every day, yet 40% of all food is wasted…?

It was a challenging week spent in Rome at the World Food Forum, hearing the lack of progress that has been made in achieving any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, set by the United Nations for 2030.

We will not achieve zero hunger and unimpeded access to healthy diets to all, despite the fact the world produces enough food to feed all the people who live on this earth - 1.6bn Tonnes of food is wasted in developed countries annually.

Reducing food waste is the number one solution and action we can all take to address climate change.

Next month, the world population will reach 8bn. There is a critical need to look at accelerating ways to produce more food, whilst using less natural resources, such as water and land. However, this cannot include vilifying traditional farming practices which are necessary to address food security in developing parts of the world.

It was clear to me that climate change solutions are too often advocated by developed countries, with not enough input from those who face different realities and challenges around conflict, hunger and land-use. There is a dire need for a global dialogue which takes into account the different starting points for food system transformation and for solutions to be led by those on the ground, who are best placed to understand the social, cultural and economic impact of actions, as well as the environmental.

It was good to hear so many world leaders calling for an end to conversations about strategic planning and instead to be audacious about movement and action.

There was a recognition for the need to share technology and information, to move into a post-silo era of sharing insights.

No farmer or country can be left behind in terms of access to new technologies - investment, investment, investment is needed in science and innovation.

I was so heartened during the week to hear the passion and energy amongst youth from around the world in driving change for a more food secure future and hearing some of the diverse and innovative ways in which they are pursuing this.

I was so grateful to attend meetings in Rome as part of the NGIN delegation and although the lack of progress towards achieving global food security can be very deflating, I came away hopeful that there is a sense of urgency and a commitment to delivering change amongst the next generation, which will accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems - if only their energy, knowledge and passion can be better harnessed and integrated into climate dialogues and actions.