Exploring options to strengthen our Global Science Policy Interface for improved Food Systems Governance

The European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) organized an interactive stakeholder dialogue to explore the needs and options to strengthen the global Science Policy Interface (SPI) as one of the possible outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) process. The online event informed and solicited inputs from a wide diversity of actors.

After a warm welcome by DG RTD Director John Bell; Deputy to the Special Envoy for the UNFSS, Martin Frick presented the audience with the ambitions and expected outcomes of the UNFSS. “We are trying to make the United Nations Food Systems Summit a real people summit, bringing together governments and society for food systems transformation,” he explained.

FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi took an active role in the proceedings of the event and provided the audience with an overview of the key role of research and innovation policy for food system transformation. She underlined the need for new and enabling policies while closing data gaps. “Science and innovation are essential to achieve more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems,” she noted.

She also briefed participants on the organization of the UNFSS Science Days. The Science Days are being organized by the Scientific Group of the UN Food Systems Summit and facilitated and hosted by FAO. They will present an important opportunity to support the agenda-setting process with scientific evidence and perspectives.

The event also directly related to the early findings of the European Commission’s High Level Expert Group. The group is composed of 19 top experts from across the world who assess needs to be further debated during the Summit process. Speakers from the Expert Group included Tom Arnold, Roberta Sonnino, Patrick Webb, Olivier De Schutter, Jacqueline McGlade and Evan Fraser. FAO Chief Scientist Elouafi is also a member of the Expert Group.