The United Nations Secretary-General will convene a Food Systems Summit in September 2021 as part of the UN's Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The summit is being heavily influenced by organizations that support replacing animal protein with plant-based diets. These organizations are coordinating efforts to get plant-based diets endorsed as mainstream by global bodies, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This outcome could have a massive negative impact on modern agriculture. The International Egg Commission (IEC), UEP, the Animal Ag Alliance, and other ag organizations are actively presenting a more balanced approach to include livestock and animal products in dietary recommendations.

IEC has written to the UN Food Systems Summit Special Envoy highlighting the important role animal products play in diets worldwide and requesting support for a balanced diet. The IEC is also actively participating in the summit as a member of the private sector mechanism, submitting 'game-changing activities' that support the role of animal agriculture. UEP is an active member in the IEC and is helping lead IEC's approach.

USDA invited UEP to participate in a preparatory event for the summit. Also, on April 8, UEP will participate in a meeting organized by the Animal Agriculture Alliance to consolidate recommendations from the livestock, poultry and egg sectors. The IEC, UEP and other organizations will continue to engage in activities leading up to the Food Systems Summit, strongly supporting animal-based protein in dietary recommendations. UEP staff will keep members updated as more information becomes available.

See also the IEC Member Engagement Toolkit for the summit.