The transformation of food systems is a response to
the challenges that Serbia is facing

Serbia has the opportunity to build a food system that not only feeds its population but also protects people, nature, and future generations. This transformation must begin with comprehensive policies and a clear strategy that offers equal opportunities for all. This was the key conclusion of the conference held in Niš, as part of the Subnational Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation in Serbia.

“We don’t see Serbia’s 2030 food system as a distant vision, but as a reality we’re already building today: women are leading change, children eat healthy, locally sourced meals, and nature is protected — not just in words, but through concrete decisions and local action. This transformation must be a collective effort — and it has already begun,”– said Lorenca Jahia, senior economist in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia.

In the presence of numerous local officials, agricultural producers, representatives of academic institutions, civil society organizations, and representatives from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, along with UN agencies, discussions were held on the urgency of change and the solutions needed to support local communities in becoming drivers of food system transformation — one of the most important sectors in the Serbian economy.

“The One Health approach reminds us that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply intertwined — and food systems sit at the intersection of these relationships. Building climate-smart, nature-positive, and health-promoting food systems is essential to address the challenges of our time. Whether through agroecology, pollution reduction, or biodiversity conservation, local action plays a vital role in creating more resilient communities and ecosystems,” Pablo Sagredo Martín, a specialist in public health at the United Nations Environment Programme, emphasized.

The triple planetary crisis in environmental protection — biodiversity loss, the consequences of climate change, and pollution — along with significant losses throughout the food supply chain and lack of access to healthy nutrition, were central themes of expert presentations and discussions. Data confirming the growing impact of these challenges in Serbia reveal that extreme weather events since the year 2000 have caused damage exceeding €6.8 billion, with 70% of that related to droughts and high temperatures.

“The preservation of human and natural health is a key issue for the survival of civilization, and change begins with us — supported by clear and decisive public policies that prioritize health and solidarity over profit and consumption,” stated Professor Dr. Denis Kučević from the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, while Dr. Mirjam Vujadinović Mandić, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, added that “Ensuring a sufficient quantity of quality food requires systematic adaptation to climate change at all levels, along with the preservation and smart use of key resources such as water and land.”

The exchange of opinions on the potential for developing biodistricts and transitioning to organic agricultural production in Serbia attracted considerable interest, particularly in light of the fact that currently, less than 1% of arable land is under organic cultivation.

Biodistricts are geographical areas organized around the principles and model of organic agriculture. In these areas, farmers, citizens, providers of tourism and hospitality services, educational and scientific institutions, public bodies, and associations work together to develop sustainable local food systems, improve the management of local resources, and promote the economic and socio-cultural development of their regions.

The discussion emphasized the crucial role of innovation in improving the entire food value chain — supporting faster and more efficient development, and reducing waste in agricultural production. Participants analyzed examples of good practices from Serbia and the European Union and discussed concrete solutions that can be applied domestically.

“Innovations are key to reducing food waste, but their successful implementation requires strong institutional support and a fair distribution of resources — especially for the most vulnerable,“ emphasized Dr. Kata Trifković of the Irish company Inlecom Commercial Pathways, while Marko Marić, director of Eko Agrar in Čajetina, added: “Global measures and collective awareness are extremely important, but it’s even more important for local actors to take responsibility and actively create solutions that can serve as examples for others.”

The subnational dialogue on food systems transformation is one of several events preparing Serbia for participation in the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4), to be held in July 2025 in Ethiopia. It also aims to facilitate the engagement of national and local actors in the planning and implementation of a just transformation of Serbia’s food systems.

This dialogue is part of the project From Grain to Sustainability – Food Systems for All, a one-year initiative funded by the Joint SDG Fund (Sustainable Development Goals Fund), with support from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The initiative in Serbia is led by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and other national partners.

The event was organized by the Center for Environmental Improvement, UNEP’s implementing partner, in collaboration with the local organization ENECA.