UNFSS+4 Side Events
27 - 29 July 2025
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4), co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, marks a pivotal moment in the Decade of Action, four years after the 2021 Summit. It serves as a platform for reflection, accountability, and mobilization of investments in food systems transformation — with a focus on inclusive, sustainable, and resilient approaches.
To enrich the high-level discussions, a curated set of in-person side events will be held, offering a space for partners to showcase innovative practices, share country-level experiences, and spotlight evidence-based solutions.
Side events are an opportunity to:
- Complement official dialogues with practical, forward-looking conversations
- Engage with a high-level, global audience
- Share successes, challenges, and solutions grounded in real-world experiences
- Strengthen visibility and partnerships in advancing food systems transformation
SIDE EVENTS FORMAT
- When: The entire day of 27 July 2025 (Action Day) and during the lunch breaks of the UNFSS+4 programme (28-29 July 2025)
- Where: UNECA, Addis Ababa (UNFSS+4 Venue)
- Format: In-person (hybrid participation facilitated upon request)
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Language: English (interpretation is at organizer’s discretion and responsibility)
- Slots Available: 28
Submit proposals by 14 May 2025
The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub invites governments, civil society, private sector entities, UN agencies, research institutions and other partners to submit proposals for in-person side events by Wednesday 14 May 2025.
In case of enquires, please contact: [email protected]
Applicants must provide:
- Event title and summary (max 250 words)
- Objectives and expected outcomes
- Lead organizers and partners
- Thematic focus (aligned with UNFSS+4 objectives)
- Format and tentative profiles of speakers
- Description of inclusivity approach (e.g., youth, gender, regional balance)
- Technical/logistical needs (e.g., AV, interpretation)
Events will be selected based on, awarded and assessed a maximum of 20 points for each of the following:
- Clarity of objectives and alignment with the UNFSS+4 Stocktake objectives
- Clarity of expected outcomes and plans for follow-up action
- Potential for scaling, replication, or policy impact
- Balanced multistakeholder partnership
- Representation of diverse voices, countries sectors
- Regional balance and gender balance of speakers in panels
More details on selection:
- Preference will be given to country-led multi-stakeholder submissions that bring together a systemic approach.
- Proposals that do not achieve gender balance in the panel (with 10% margin to either gender, vis a vis the 50-50 participation) will be excluded from evaluation.
- Proposals submitted by more than one country will be prioritized.
- Due to space and time constraints, only 28 high-impact side events will be hosted. Organizers are encouraged to collaborate and co-host events where possible. Side events proposals with similar topics/focus will be invited to merge. Only one side event proposal could be submitted by an organization.
Selected organizers will be responsible for:
- Confirming and coordinating speaker participation
- Covering travel, logistical and interpretation costs
- Ensuring registration and accreditation of all participants
- Submitting a 1-page summary report post-event
Selection process
The selection committee consisting of representatives of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, FAO, WFP, IFAD, and 2 representatives from the Stakeholder Engagement and Networking Advisory (SENA) Group will evaluate the submitted side event applications against the criteria.
