In October 2018, at its 45th session, the UnitedIn October 2018, at its 45th session, the United Nations (UN) Committee on World Food Security (CFS) requested the High Level Panel of Expert on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) to prepare a report that takes stock of its contributions in order to inform future CFS actions on food security and nutrition (FSN) for all in the context of the 2030 Agenda andthe Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The HLPE was specifically asked to outline a forward looking, global narrative on FSN that draws on previous HLPE publications and considers recent developments in order to provide strategic guidance towards the achievement of the SDGs, especially SDG 2. In responding to this request, this report articulates a global narrative that builds on what we know about the current situation with respect to FSN concepts, outcomes, drivers and critical policy directions that are vital for meeting SDG 2 targets and the entire 2030 Agenda. Drawing on the findings of previous HLPE reports over the past decade, as well as the broader scientific literature, the key messages of this report are:

1) There is an urgent need for strengthening and consolidating conceptual thinking around FSN to prioritize the right to food, to widen our understanding of food security and to adopt afood systems analytical and policy framework.

2) FSN outcomes in recent years show thee xtent to which the global community is falling short on Agenda 2030 targets, especiallySDG 2, while food systems face a range of challenges – and some opportunities –linked to major trends in the drivers of foodsystem change.

3) Policy approaches and actions for FSN, inlight of the diverse challenges facing foodsystems, will require critical policy shifts andsupport for enabling conditions that uphold all dimensions of food security.These points are illustrated with brief case studies that draw on a wide range of experiences and contexts.