When world leaders and advocates descended upon New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this past September, it was against the backdrop of a changed world. Traditional development funders are no longer reliably distributing aid or programmatic support, causing major funding gaps. The global debt crisis, conflicts and natural disasters are destabilizing already fragile systems, causing development gains to backslide.
With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, there’s no time to waste.
This years’ State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report notes small gains in progress, but confirms there has been an unequal reduction in hunger across the world’s regions. As many as 720 million people still went to bed hungry. 2.6 billion people in the world—or more than one third of the world population— cannot afford a healthy diet in 2024. At this rate, the world will not achieve SDG2 with 512 million hungry people projected in 2030 – of whom, 60% will live on the African continent.
Despite these global challenges, UNGA80 and Climate Week NYC buzzed with energy, perhaps because of the realization that this changing world also provides the opportunity to build something new.
We must break down silos and do more with less: this means radical collaboration with new stakeholders across health, food, and climate. We must harness new tools, such as AI, and innovate on how we communicate with each other.
Without good food and strong food systems, none of the SDGs can be achieved.
Highlights on Efforts to Scale Good Food For All
- At his opening speech at the general debate, President Inácio Lula da Silva, celebrated Brazil officially leaving FAO’s hunger map in July 2025 and called upon other world leaders to reprioritize, including increasing development spending: “the only war of which everyone can emerge victorious is the one we wage against hunger and poverty.”
- Over 30 civil society organisations called for urgent action to address child wasting. A total of USD 112.2 million was pledged to the Child Nutrition Fund at Global Citizen Now concert to tackle child malnutrition.
- More countries submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions, although ambition still falls short of what is required to address the scale of the climate crisis.
- The FAO introduced the Financing for Shock-Driven Food Crisis Facility, a tool designed to provide anticipatory and rapid-response funding for countries facing food crises due to climate shocks, conflict, or economic disruptions.
- The Governments of Brazil, France, Somalia, the World Food Programme and the Rockefeller Foundation called for governments to integrate Regenerative School Meals into National Climate Policies. Multiple governments and international organizations shared their support, including the governments of Germany, Denmark and International Fund for Agriculture Development.
These moments reminded us that transformation will not come from policy or culture alone; it must be driven by both. The commitments and insights shared at UNGA80 provide a roadmap, but what is needed now is political will, financing, and the courage to act at scale.
SDG2 Events
High Level Meeting for Food and Nutrition Challenges
Together with the Government of Ireland and World Vision International, the SDG2 Advocacy Hub united a diverse group of food and nutrition champions at the Irish Mission in New York to accelerate progress towards ending child malnutrition and advancing SDG2. H.E. Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora of Ireland, joined leaders including Madam Janja da Silva, First Lady of Brazil, Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr Louise Kpoto, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, H.E. Jiwoh Abdulai, and a wide range of partners united in their commitment to end the cycle of food crises. The outcomes underscored the urgency of collective action and the power of partnership in delivering solutions that ensure no child is left behind.
Raising the Alarm: Ending Preventable Child Deaths from Wasting
The Wasting Advocacy Coalition and the Global Nutrition Cluster hosted: “Raising the Alarm: Ending Preventable Child Deaths from Wasting, opening with a stark reminder from Navyn Salem, CEO of Edesia Nutrition, that hundreds of thousands of boxes of lifesaving RUTF have been stuck in warehouses since March due to aid cuts, while children’s lives hang in the balance. Andrew Beckingham of Save the Children UK underscored the painful reality that only 42% of children in need are receiving treatment. Dr Uju Rochas-Anwukah from Nigeria stressed the importance of domestic financing and embedding nutrition into legislation. Paul Troy of Irish Aid reaffirmed Ireland’s growing commitment to food security and nutrition. Abi Perry from the World Bank highlighted how the updated Investment Framework for Nutrition is helping countries make the economic case for nutrition. Read the joint statement launched at the event here.
New Financing for Development Models for Africa
The ONE Campaign’s “Africa At the Forefront of Global Financing Solutions” event reiterated that old colonial ODA models no longer serve Africa. New financial models should address unfair debt burdens while inventing new innovative ways to generate and distribute federal and local budgets. They also launched the new “Trillions tracker” to track the global financing gap.
Beans is How at UNGA
The Beans is How Coalition convened the event “Driving Change with Policy, Narratives and Beans on the Menu” to explore how beans can act as a catalyst for change. Speakers highlighted the potential of restaurants and catering services to shape demand, the importance of narratives that influence consumer behaviour, and the power of partnerships in shifting food culture. Crucially, the conversation showed how institutions such as schools, hospitals, and workplaces can adopt beans and other climate-smart foods, using storytelling, chef advocacy, and behavioural research to create lasting change. For further insights, read and share our policy paper, Finger on the Pulse.
Goalkeepers: Almost is not enough
Advocates and world leaders at Goalkeepers 2025 asked us to learn, build, and reimagine a future without preventable child deaths. The event shared inspirational case studies while reinforcing that “almost” is not enough; progress must be protected and breakthroughs scaled. In Indonesia, infant mortality has dropped nearly 90% since 1961. Kenya demonstrating how vaccines save lives in even the most remote communities 20 years after testing HIV positive, Margaret has HIV-free children and serves as a community health worker saving lives despite the pressures of aid cuts. All stories pointed at how good nutrition and health give children the strongest start in life, and governments must prioritise both. Catch up on the event here.
Forests for Food in New York City
During Climate Week in New York City, the Forests4Food campaign lit up the city’s landmarks with a striking message: no forests, no food; no food, no future. The campaign highlighted the undeniable truth that protecting forests is essential to safeguarding water, ensuring climate stability, and securing food for all. The SDG2 Advocacy Hub joined our Brazilian partners Açao da Cidadania to elevate the importance of investing in smallholder farmers at an event on financing at NY University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. They hold the key to sustainable and equitable food systems transformation. As the world looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil, it is vital that forests and food systems are placed at the centre of the climate agenda. We invite all who share this vision to add their voice and support to the movement.
