UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4)

The 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) took place from July 27–29, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy. Marking five years since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), UNFSS+4 provided a platform for reflecting on progress, strengthening collaboration, and unlocking finance and investments to accelerate food systems transformation. July 27th was Action Day at the summit, followed by July 28–29 for the official Stocktake.

Aquatic Blue Food Coalition at UNFSS+4

Shifting the narrative on blue foods to support people, nature, and climate

Sunday, July 27 | 2-3:15pm | Small Briefing Room

Despite their vital role in nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience, blue foods remained underrepresented in global food systems discussions. This UNFSS+4 side event spotlighted national leadership and multilateral efforts, such as the Ocean Panel’s 2025 workplan, to elevate blue foods in policy and finance. The event opened with a presentation from the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition, underscoring that aquatic blue foods provide protein and essential micronutrients to billions and support the livelihoods of millions worldwide.

Panelists discussed how blue foods can contribute to the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, as well as ways to integrate them into development plans. They highlighted the dual climate imperative of reducing emissions from blue food production while strengthening adaptation strategies. The conversation also emphasized the role of women in blue food supply chains, noting that although women represent nearly half of the workforce, primarily in processing, they are often excluded from decision-making processes. The side event concluded with a presentation of the Blue Food Assessment for Indonesia, coordinated by the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), illustrating how national-level research and planning can inform policy action.

Organizers: World Resources Institute; The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy; Aquatic Blue Food Coalition

Making food systems deliver where it counts

Monday, July 28 | 1-2:15pm | Small Briefing Room

This session explored how healthy diets can become a measurable outcome of food systems transformation, emphasizing the urgent need to move from planning to delivery. Speakers underscored that over 2.3 billion people still cannot afford a healthy diet and that progress since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit has been uneven, with gaps in financing, accountability, and implementation.

Country representatives from Zambia, Cambodia, and Malawi shared how they are adapting to climate shocks, tackling the double burden of malnutrition, and embedding nutrition in multisectoral strategies. Panelists highlighted the need to mainstream blue foods, invest in local agro-processing, and align public–private financing with nutrition goals. Continental actors reinforced that nutrition and climate resilience must be integrated into national plans, supported by data, coordination, and political will.

The session concluded with a collective call to prioritize healthy diets in Africa’s development agenda, framing them not just as a policy goal but as a guaranteed outcome of food systems transformation through policy integration, investment alignment, and country-led implementation.

Organizers: Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi; African Development Bank; Aquatic Blue Food Coalition; Ministry of Health, Malawi; Nutrition and Food Commission, Zambia; SDG2 Advocacy Hub; Zero Hunger Coalition

Investment Dialogue #6: Bridging Investments to Smallholder Farmers and SMEs through Value Chain

Tuesday, July 29 | 3-4:20pm | Africa Hall

UNFSS+4 investment dialogues highlighted key interventions to encourage a positive role of the private sector in food systems transformation.

Leads: United Nations Global Compact and United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Exhibition Hall Booth

The Aquatic Blue Food Coalition hosted a booth in the Exhibition Hall to highlight progress made since the Coalition’s inception at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. The booth featured videos from Coalition member projects as well as materials about aquatic foods in global food systems.