FAO Chief Economist briefs Council of the EU and highlights need to achieve SDG-2 and 1.5 degree climate targets coherently

During his mission to Brussels, FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero attended the Council Working Party on Development and International Partnerships (CODEV-PI) to present the global food security situation in a Session that also saw presentations by IFAD, the SUN Movement and WFP.

In his presentation, the Chief Economist provided an overview of the current situation of global agrifood systems. He informed participants that FAO is developing a cutting-edge tool to simulate pathways towards achieving SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) and the 1.5 degree climate targets in a coherent manner. 

This was the second time that the FAO Chief Economist briefed CODEV-PI during the Swedish Presidency, which will conclude on 30 June. The Presidency of the Council will be assumed by Spain from 1st July to 31st December.

The June session included the participation of David Kaatrud, WFP's Global Director of Programme and Policy for Humanitarian and Development Action; Satu Santala, IFAD Vice President for External Relations and Governance; and UN ASG Afshan Khan, SUN Movement Coordinator.

Delegations expressed their appreciation for the discussion on the geopolitical perspective of food security. They also emphasized the importance of increased collaboration among the RBAs  particularly in addressing the interrelated issues of humanitarian aid, development, peace and resilience.

In addition to the briefing to CODEV, the Chief Economist participated in the presentation of the FAO report on the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems. Furthermore, he had a bilateral meeting with Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon. During the meeting, Torero discussed some of the key initiatives from FAO, including efforts to address food loss and food waste.