UN Rapporteur Pushes for Global Food System Overhaul
Sofía Monsalve aims to address rising hunger by advocating for systemic changes to food production and land distribution.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Organic Food
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Sofía Monsalve assumed the role of United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food in May 2026. She now advocates for significant structural reforms to global food systems to address rising worldwide hunger levels.
Why it matters
Global hunger has risen steadily since 2017, driven by geopolitical instability and the erosion of local food production capacities. Monsalve’s push for structural change aims to address the systemic fragility that leaves populations vulnerable to food insecurity.
United Nations tracking shows that global hunger rates have risen steadily since 2017, marking a shift from 2016 benchmarks. It remains unclear how these findings will influence immediate policy shifts given the ongoing impact of geopolitical rivalries.
The players
Sofía Monsalve
The 56-year-old United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food.
Food and Agriculture Organization
A specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
International Court of Justice
The principal judicial organ of the United Nations that addresses international legal disputes.
The details
Monsalve promotes a food system transformation built on four pillars: land redistribution, agroecology, the relocalization of food systems, and democratic decision-making. She suggests that digital technologies could play a role in facilitating the democratic deliberation necessary to rebuild local food reserves. These strategies seek to reverse the long-term impact of neoliberal policies that previously dismantled domestic production capabilities.
Timeline
2016: Global hunger levels were at a previous benchmark.
2017: Global hunger rates began to rise.
March 2024: ICJ ordered humanitarian aid for Gaza.
February 2026: FAO published a study on land concentration.
May 2026: Monsalve appointed as UN special rapporteur.
Health Landscape
Monsalve’s advocacy follows the February 2026 FAO study on land concentration, which provides a data-driven framework for addressing structural food fragility. This focus on systemic reform marks a shift from historical approaches that prioritized trade-based market solutions over local capacity.
As global food system discussions evolve, residents may see increased emphasis on local food security and community-based agricultural policies. Understanding how these structural changes may impact food availability is a valuable topic to discuss with local community health advocates.
The takeaway
The rise in global hunger since 2017 highlights the need for structural shifts in food production and distribution systems. Tracking how local governments align with agroecology and land-use initiatives can help residents understand changes to food access in their regions.
Further reading
Learn more about the connections between agricultural practices and food accessibility in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EL PAÍS.
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