
The UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) will be convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in September 2021. The purpose is to shape global commitments and to raise global awareness of food systems, that they might be transformed in order to reduce diet-related diseases, resolve hunger, and restore planetary health. The Secretary-General is calling all citizens to collective action, so as to “radically change the way we produce, process, transport, market and consume food”.
Building on global platforms and events, the UNFSS will aim to generate agreements and highlight collaborative actions. Initiatives locally, regionally, nationally and globally that support food systems transformation will be explored prior to the Summit occurring. Knowledge sourced from these initiatives will inform future recommendations from the Summit.
1. Ensuring access to safe and nutritious food
2. Shifting to sustainable consumption patterns
3. Boosting nature-positive production
4. Advance equitable livelihoods and value distribution
5. Building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stresses
With events such as the UNFSS, Nutrition for Growth (N4G) and COP 26 all being held throughout 2021, it truly is a super year of possible chef action. It is critical that advocacy actions are at the forefront of these events, driving forward change by bringing in as many diverse voices as possible, to ensure that 2021 heralds a decade of action to achieve the SDGs.
As agents of change, and to drive action, chefs need to come together in one collective, connected voice. The Chefs’ Manifesto network is taking a leading role to further focus and narrow the SDG roadmap for chefs, as well as bridging and connecting across chef networks. This has been motivated by the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit, and the urgent need to generate actions to be able to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Through conducting a survey, the aim is to learn from participants, what the top priorities are for 2021 and the Decade of Action, the results of which will inform the creation of a ‘Chefs’ Pledge’. This Pledge will be a commitment to key practical priorities that can have the greatest impact to enact change. It will aim to create collective momentum to rally greater attention and engagement of chef food systems champions, mobilising them even further as agents of change, at key global events, and especially at the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit.
1. What is the Chefs' Pledge?
The Chefs’ Manifesto has compiled a survey to learn what chefs perceive to be the top practical actions that will enact change during the Decade of Action, to ensure Good Food For All. From the results of this survey, the Chefs' Manifesto will facilitate a Chefs’ Pledge, to which chefs will be asked to commit, thereby creating collective momentum to rally greater attention and engagement of food systems champions as agents of change.
2. What is the purpose of the Chefs' Pledge?
The purpose of the Chefs’ Pledge is to encourage chefs to be at the forefront of conversations and actions on changing food systems. This year, the UN Secretary-General is convening a UN Food Systems Summit to launch bold new actions to transform the way the world produces and consumes food, delivering progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As such, the Chefs' Manifesto is taking a leading role to further focus the SDG roadmap for chefs. Several dialogues will be held in the coming months, to further discuss the role of chefs in changing food systems for the better.
3. Who can join the Chefs' Pledge?
Any chefs or cooks who are working in the food industry.
4. How do I get involved?
Fill out the survey and get connected here.
5. I work with chefs, or work with a chef network, how can I become a partner?
If you would like to know more about become a partner of the Chefs' Pledge, please contact the Chefs' Manifesto here.
6. Can I facilitate conducting a survey in a language other than English?
Yes! We encourage all chefs and cooks everywhere, to be involved. If you would like to conduct a survey in a language other than English, please follow the steps below:
7. Who is organising the Chefs' Pledge?
The Chefs' Pledge is facilitated by the Chefs' Manifesto, in support of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, with the partnership of: the World Association of Chefs Societies, the Chef Ann Foundation, Chefs 4 The Planet, Le Cordon Bleu, Social Gastronomy, the Good Food Fund China.
8. Need more information?
Contact the Chefs' Manifesto team!