The world faces acute food and nutrition challenges. Armed conflicts, climate change and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, to name just a few, are having devastating effects on local and global food systems and the people who rely on them, thus negatively impacting the enjoyment of the right to food by millions of individuals globally. In addition to that, the modern style of living, which is characterized by an over-consuming and rapidly increasing population, results in progressively growing businesses and industries that put relentless pressure on agricultural, food and natural resources. The man-made environmental tragedies unfolding in many industrial areas, including through inappropriate waste disposal or pollution, cannot be ignored, so can’t the negative effects of conflicts on food security and the state of natural resources, such as mass displacements from land and livestock, destruction of food stocks and agricultural assets, decreased food production, and disruptions to food systems and markets, leading to increased food prices or decreased household purchasing power. Effective solutions aiming at eradicating hunger and ensuring all people enjoy their right to safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food require innovative ideas and strong collaboration with businesses, but also scientists, industrial communities, policymakers and society at large, based on responsible leadership. This requires informed and passionate individuals who are committed to leveraging their position, influence, and resources to drive and impact positive change. Businesses and industries form communities of their own. At the same time, they are intertwined with other communities in many ways. The business and its industrial communities are critical for tackling the big issues facing the world, among others they have an important role to play in achieving and maintaining global food security. They have tremendous innovative potential to unlock creative sustainable solutions to end world hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition. While social and environmental accountability is increasingly embraced, there is still largely untapped potential in Business Communities to contribute to equitable and sustainable food systems. This conversation addresses SDG6 and SDG9 and their nexuses, with particular emphasis on SDG2 and the imperative need for sustainable business communities, the challenges facing the industrial areas and the role businesses should play to achieve global food security.
