FAO spotlights agrifood systems at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

New York - From 7 to 15 July 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took part in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at United Nations headquarters in New York, contributing to global discussions on advancing the 2030 Agenda through agrifood systems transformation.

This year's Forum included in-depth reviews of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the Goals. Throughout the Forum, FAO underscored the key role that transforming agrifood systems can play to accelerate progress across the 2030 Agenda.

Addressing and understanding the high cost of a healthy diet

The main contribution to FAO's engagement at HLPF 2026 was the Special Event on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026: Understanding and Addressing the High Cost of a Healthy Diet, held on 14 July at United Nations headquarters.

Organized ahead of the global launch of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) report on 21 July 2026, the discussion brought together FAO's Chief Economist, Máximo Torero Cullen, the Director of Agrifood Economics and Policy, David Laborde, Members, UN entities and non-governmental organizations to examine the cost and affordability of healthy diets as a key factor shaping food security and nutrition outcomes worldwide.

Global trends in access to and affordability of healthy diets, the drivers behind the high cost of a healthy diet, and the interventions and responses needed to address these challenges were explored throughout the event. Participants shared their respective commitments and efforts to ensuring healthy diets are affordable and accessible to all, called for political commitment, partnerships and measures to systematically reduce the cost of a healthy diet, and expressed their appreciation for FAO's work in providing the necessary evidence and data to inform their actions.

In his statement, Torero Cullen underscored that affordability data on healthy diets can guide action and investment. "The cost of a healthy diet is much more than a statistic. It shows us where investments will have the greatest impact, and it provides a roadmap for making healthy diets affordable for everyone. If we can lower the cost of a healthy diet, we will not only improve nutrition; we will build agrifood systems that are more productive, more resilient, and more sustainable," he said.

Emphasizing the long-term economic and social consequences of unhealthy diets during his presentation, David Laborde cited that over one third of the global population is unable to afford a healthy diet, and that this costs the world USD 8.2 trillion per year and is linked to nearly 12% of all deaths per year. Laborde noted: "The price of food is visible today. The cost of unhealthy diets often materializes years later through reduced economic opportunities." He went on to explain the reasons behind the high cost of healthy diets and identify the relevant interventions to reduce these costs.

Addressing opportunities, risks and solutions for agrifood systems transformation

FAO also organized the HLPF Side Event Agrifood systems in the current global context: opportunities, risks and solutions at United Nations headquarters.

The event brought together Members, UN entities and other stakeholders to examine current global challenges impacting agrifood systems transformation, namely the disruptions of energy and supply flows, which could be further exacerbated by the high probability of an El Niño event.

FAO Chief Economist provided an overview of global food security and nutrition, focusing on the implications of the situation in the Middle East, and recommended short-, medium- and long-term policy responses to mitigate the risks of the current situation. He called for balanced, evidenced-based approaches that support farmers.

"Farmers are facing significant challenges today. We need to offer them financial lines of credit that will give them a grace period of six months and for two to three years," Torero Cullen said.

Participants engaged in a rich discussion that highlighted the need for collective, coordinated and balanced measures to address risks facing agrifood systems, with emphasis on the need for access to reliable information for decision-making, technical support, and financing tailored to context-specific barriers to investment.

FAO engagement across HLPF sessions and partner-led events

FAO experts also contributed to a series of HLPF sessions including Lifeng LI, Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, at the SDG 6 session on water and sanitation and at the "SDG 6 Special Event"; Carlos Watson, Director ad interim of FAO's Office of Sustainable Development Goals, t at the HLPF general debate; Angélica Jácome, Director of the FAO Liaison Office to the United Nations in New York, at sessions concerning other SDGs under review, as well as the sessions on Small Island Developing States, and on transformation from the ground up; and Halka Otto, Senior Liaison Officer at the FAO Liaison Office to the United Nations in New York, at the session on accelerating SDG achievement in African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and middle-income countries.

In addition, FAO participated in side events dedicated to, among others, the role of startups in advancing partnerships for sustainable water security, mountain regions, agricultural and blue economy value chains, and drowning prevention.

FAO remains committed to supporting Members with the evidence and solutions needed to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

For more details on FAO's participation and activities during HLPF, visit our dedicated page and browse through the statements here.