Sharing experiences between Asia, Africa and the Near East: Harnessing local agriculture production systems for healthy diets

Under the framework of NENA Regional Network on Nutrition-sensitive Food System, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (FAORNE) is organizing a special virtual event on “Asia and Africa hand-in-hand with Near East for transformation of traditional food system for healthy and sustainable diets for all”, in collaboration with FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) and FAO Regional Office for Arica (FAORAF). 

TIME

(10:00 am-12:30 pm)

ACTIVITY

SPEAKERS

10:00 am –10:20 am

Opening Session

Introduction: by Ms Nomindelger Bayasgalanbat, FAO RNE

-          welcome by Mr Serge Nakouzi, Deputy Regional Representative a.i., FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa

10:20 am – 10:45 am

Key Note

Key note presentation on “Harnessing the benefits of diversified food system for healthy and sustainable diets” - by Dr Mahmoud El Solh, Steering Committee Member, CFS High Level Panel of Experts (Former DG, ICARDA)

10:45 am – 11:30 am

Panel discussion

What science can offer to transform traditional food system to delivering healthy and sustainable diets? 

Moderated by Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, FAO 

Panelists:

-          Prof. Kadambot Siddique, Hackett Professor of Agriculture, Chair and Director, University of Western Australia, and FAO Special Ambassador of International Year of Pulses

-          Prof Francis Zotor – Former President of the African Nutrition Society/ Dr Covic Namukolo IFPR or

-          DG, ICARDA (TBC)

-          Dr Shakuntala Thilsted, Lead, Nutrition-sensitive value chain (Vice-chair of the Food System summit’s Advancing Equitable Livelihoods Action Track), World Fish Center

-          DG, ILRI (TBC)

11:30 am–12:00 pm

Round table dialogue

What science-based multistakeholder policies and investments needed to transform traditional food system for affordable healthy and sustainable diets for all? 

Moderated by Dr Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, FAO 

Discussants:

-          His Excellency, Thanawan Tiensin, Chair of CFS (TBC)

-          Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of AUDA/NEPAD (TBC)/ Prof Yemi Akinbamijo of FARA

-          DG, League of Arab States (TBC)

-          Bhutan DG MoA (TBC)

12:00 pm-12:30 pm

Open floor

Facilitated by Dr Xuan Li, Senior Policy Officer, FAORAP, and Mr Mphumuzi Sukati, Senior Food and Nutrition Officer, FAORAF

12.30 pm

Closing remarks

Mr Jean-Marc Faurès, Regional Programme Leader, FAORNE