COP30: Italy joins global champions to drive food systems transformation

11 November 2025, Belém: Italy joined the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF), becoming the newest member of a growing coalition of countries driving better outcomes for people, nature and the climate. The announcement, made at COP30 in Belém, represents a major boost to global cooperation on transforming the way food is produced, distributed, traded and consumed. 

Launched at COP28 in Dubai by Brazil, Norway, Sierra Leone, Cambodia and Rwanda, the Alliance champions a ‘whole of government’ approach to food systems transformation – bridging climate action, nutrition, livelihoods, and biodiversity behind one unified agenda. By aligning national policies and investments around this integrated vision, ACF members are demonstrating that food systems are central to achieving the targets set out in the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

By joining the ACF, Italy is demonstrating leadership and a clear commitment to advancing policies and investments that will deliver tangible benefits for people and the planet. The country’s membership was celebrated at a special reception on the river in Belém at the Italian Pavilion (AquaPraça).

During the event, Italian government representatives was formally welcomed by ACF co-chairs, H.E. Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Minister of Climate and Environment, Norway) and H.E. Minister Paulo Teixeira (Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Brazil), who provided updates on the Alliance’s substantial progress since its launch at COP28. The event also featured remarks by H.E. Ambassador Stefano Gatti (Director General for Development Cooperation, Italy Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) and H.E. Minister Wellington Dias (Minister of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger, Brazil).

Recent research underscores why this collective action is so vital. According to the latest findings from the EAT-Lancet Commission, food systems are the largest contributor to the transgression of five planetary boundaries. What’s more, food systems currently account for roughly 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally, and transforming these systems could cut related emissions by more than half. Indeed, as stated by the same authors, “food systems still offer an unprecedented opportunity to build the resilience of environmental, health, economic, and social systems, and are uniquely placed to enhance human wellbeing while also contributing to Earth-system stability.” Considering the pivotal role of smallholder farmers and their climate-related work as stewards of the land, agriculture and food systems play a critical role in addressing climate challenges.

H.E. Ambassador Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy, commented: “Transforming food systems is at the heart of Italy’s global agenda for sustainable development and climate action. Through our G7 Presidency and the launch of the Apulia Food Systems Initiative, Italy is working with partners to accelerate investment, innovation, and policy reform across the food–climate–finance nexus. For the same reasons, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani fully embraced the idea of Italy joining the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, which will undoubtedly strengthen our shared mission: to turn global commitments into coordinated action. Without transforming how we produce, trade, and consume food, we cannot deliver on the Paris Agreement promise. Italy is proud to stand with fellow champions to build food systems that nourish people, restore nature, and sustain our planet’s future.”

Members of ACF agree to act across ten priority intervention areas: increasing affordability; improving livelihoods; enhancing resilience; reducing GHG emissions; protecting and restoring nature; scaling up sustainable management practices; reducing food loss and waste; accelerating innovation; advancing gender parity; and realigning public financial and policy incentives.

Minister for Climate and Environment of Norway, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, said: “With Italy’s strong leadership in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient food systems both domestically and internationally, the Alliance welcomes a committed partner ready to help raise global ambition. Italy’s participation strengthens our collective effort to align food, climate, and development agendas – turning shared principles into coordinated action that delivers tangible results on the ground.”