The 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) is a pivotal global event happening from July 27–29, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, this summit marks a critical moment to assess the advancements made since the original 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and the UNFSS+2 Stocktake in 2023. Its primary goals are to strengthen global collaboration and unlock vital finance and investments necessary for the transformation of sustainable food systems worldwide.
This three-day event will feature two distinct segments:
Action Day (July 27): This high-energy launch day will be filled with dynamic side events, valuable networking opportunities, and collaborative spaces designed to spark dialogue and build momentum for change.
Stocktake Meeting (July 28–29): These high-level sessions will bring together Heads of State, Ministers, and leaders from various sectors. Participants will collectively evaluate progress, deepen partnerships, and work to accelerate investments in creating more sustainable food systems for the future.
To complement the high-level discussions, a curated selection of in-person side events will be held. These events offer a valuable platform for partners to showcase innovative practices, share inspiring country-level experiences, and spotlight evidence-based solutions. Below, you'll find a list of side events featuring presentations from various CGIAR centers.
CGIAR will be a significant contributor to the official proceedings with representation in the high-level panel on July 29, led by Patrick Caron, Chair of the CGIAR System Board and Head of Delegation. This participation underscores CGIAR’s crucial role as a key partner in providing science, evidence, and innovation to support global and national food systems goals.
High-level Panel: Anticipating the Future of Food: Science, Knowledge and Innovation for Just Transformations
Lead: FAO, CFS, SAC, and CGIAR
Tuesday, 29th July 2025 (15:00 - 16:20 | Room CR1)
Reflecting on Progress: Building on the momentum of the 2021 UNFSS and the UNFSS+2 Stocktake, UNFSS+4 responds to an evolving global context marked by intensified challenges to food systems and the pressing needs to achieve the 2030 goals in only five years. Science plays a pivotal, cross-cutting role by fostering convergence and coherence across scales, from local to global, critically assessing the effectiveness of the ecosystem of support – and identifying levers that can overcome obstacles and accelerate people-centered food systems transformation.
See program for more details.
Rockefeller Foundation - UNFSS+4 High-level Convening Nourishing the Future through Regenerative School Meals | July 26, 2025 | 08:30 – 16:00 (Location: Sheraton Hotel)
CGIAR Participant:
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
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WBCSD Event | ‘Strengthening Enabling Conditions for Food Systems Change through Policy Mechanisms’ | July 28, 2025 | 12:00 – 12:50
CGIAR Participant:
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
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Livestock Coalition Side Event | Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Livestock as a Catalyst for Investment, Innovation, and Resilience | July 28, 2025 | 13:00 – 2:15 (Location: Large Briefing Room)
CGIAR Participant:
Siboniso Moyo ,Deputy Director General, ILRI
Isabelle Baltenweck, Program lead for People, Policies and Institutions, ILRI
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Ethiopian Government Event| July 28, 2025 | 14:15 – 15:15
CGIAR Participant:
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
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FAO High-Level Panel: Listening to Practitioners: Barriers and Enablers of Food System Transformation| July 28, 2025 | 15:00 – 16:20
CGIAR Participant:
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
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Investment Dialogue #3: Data and AI for Food Systems Transformation | July 28, 2025 | 16:00 – 18:00 (Location: Africa Hall)
CGIAR Participant:
Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
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ILRI Event | A High-Level Intergovernmental Roundtable on “Pastoralism: A Sustainable Food System,” | July 29, 2025 | 07:30 – 09:30 (Hilton Addis Hotel)
CGIAR Participant:
Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
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Biodiversity Bites: Tasting Solutions for Nutrition, Climate & Soil health | July 29, 2025 | 08:00 – 09:30 (Hilton Addis Hotel)
CGIAR Participant:
Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
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Indigenous Peoples-led Session | July 29, 2025 | 09:00 – 10:45
Location: CR 5
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The Implementation of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan: Interactive dialogue between African Youth Agri-Food Entrepreneurs and African Leaders | July 29, 2025 | 13:30 – 14:30
Led by the AU Special Envoy for Food Systems, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), IFPRI, AKADEMIYA2063, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
CGIAR Participant:
John M. Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
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A bilateral meeting with Erik Slingerland, deputy head of food security delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Food Partnership | July 29, 2025 | 14:45 – 15:15 (UNECA - CR5)
CGIAR Participant:
Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI
Covic Namukolo, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia, ILRI
Siboniso Moyo ,Deputy Director General, ILRI
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EAT LANCET - Policymakers Community for Action Dialogue#3 - Summary for (and with) Policymakers | July 30, 2025 | 09:00 – 13:00 (ILRI Campus Addis Ababa)
CGIAR Participant:
Co-hosted by ILRI & EAT Lancent
Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Livestock as a Catalyst for Investment, Innovation, and Resilience // Kenya
Organizers and partners: State Department for Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cameroon; Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; International Livestock Research Institute and The Global Sustainable Livestock Coalition (GSLC)
Organizers and partners: National Planning Authority, Uganda; Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH); CIFOR-ICRAF; EIT Food; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Swedish International Agriculture Network Initiative (SIANI); Vi Agroforestry; Alliance Bioversity-CIAT; Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD); Conscious Planet-Save Soil; World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
Organizers and partners: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity; UNFSS Coalition for Agroecology; African Union Commission; Partners for Change Network; Western Kenyan Soil Carbon Project Consortium (WEKOSAP).
From Aspiration to Action: Country Experiences on Mainstreaming Agroecology as Food System Transformation Pathway // Vietnam
Organizers and partners: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam; Agroecology Coalition; Biovision Foundation; Instituto Regenera; World Future Council Foundation; ICEI NGO; European Commission Joint Research Centre; IFOAM - Organics International; UN Foundation; Centre for Functional Ecology; University of Coimbra; Fundación Alpina; Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development; Tarayana Foundation; AND THE Alliance Bioversity - CIAT India Office
Scope of Investment for transformation towards an Equitable, Resilient, and Nutrition-Sensitive Food Systems: Evidence and Action // Bangladesh
Organizers and partners: Food Planning and Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Food, Bangladesh; Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO); International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD); World Food Programme (WFP); and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
CGIAR Participants: Shakuntala Thilsted, Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security Impact Area Platform, CGIAR; Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
From Riyadh to Mongolia: Bridging Action for Agroecology and Soil Health to Transform Food Systems // Mongolia
Organizers and partners: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Mongolia; Mongolia UNCCD Presidency; Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH); CIFOR-ICRAF; WWF International; Agroecology Coalition; UNCCD Youth Caucus; United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY); World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); and High-Level Climate Champions
1. Accommodation
See list of Recommended Hotels here.
2. Visa Application Process and Entry Requirements
All registered and approved participants of the UNFSS+4 are eligible for a visa free of charge. All visas will be issued upon arrival in Ethiopia, with a dedicated VIP lane at the airport. To enter the country, participants must present their official Indico confirmation email & a valid passport.
No e-visa or company reference number is required. Invitation letters will not be issued, as they are not necessary for entry. Visit www.evisa.gov.et.
3. Badge Collection
Badges for national official delegation members should be collected in person or by the respective embassies from the UNECA registration desk ahead of the event. Badges will be available for pick-up from 24 July 2025.
Refer to Information Note for more details.
