With unsafe food a threat to human health and economies on a global scale, the first international Food Safety Conference is set to begin, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Experts are gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the conference today (Tuesday, February 12), the United Nations has confirmed.

The aim of the conference is evident: To cut the risks of food-borne diseases on an international level.

The conference is co-organised by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), WHO, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and African Union (AU).

According to the WHO, it will “bring together ministers and representatives of national governments, senior policy makers as well as representatives of non-state actor groups from all regions of the world to engage in an urgent reflection on food safety challenges”.

At the Addis Ababa conference, priorities will be discussed so that food safety strategies and approaches can be aligned across sectors and borders, reinforcing efforts to reach the SDGs and supporting the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.

Strategic actions will be defined through ministerial panels involving health, trade and agriculture officials and expert thematic sessions.

The conference will result in a high-level political statement advocating for increased and better coordinated collaboration and support to improve food safety globally.