UNFSS Science Days Side Event: COVID-19, food systems, and One Health in an urbanizing world: Research responses at a national level

COVID-19’s relentless march across the globe and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions have affected the lives of women and men everywhere, far beyond health impacts alone. Fragilities in food systems, market access, trade, rural-urban mobility, agricultural labor, food security, diet diversity, inequities between genders, and the critical connections between human, animal, and environmental health were exposed, particularly in and around the rapidly-growing cities in low- and middle-income countries.

The evolving evidence on the impacts of COVID-19 on urban food systems, and on the myriad of responses, reveals important insights into vulnerabilities and inequities, but also into lessons and possible solutions for strengthening the resilience of these systems. As decision makers gather for the UN Food Systems Summit, the global community has a unique opportunity to draw upon science to inform future actions on food security, One Health, and the (re)building of resilient and equitable food systems.

This event brings together scientists and national stakeholders to identify key lessons from the pandemic, highlighting how technologies and policies in the agri-food sector can help improve food and nutrition security for the world’s growing urban populations and contribute to sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.