Organizers:

• Private Sector Mechanism (PSM)
• Argentina
• Switzerland
• Nestlé
• United States of America

Abstract:

Women play critical roles across agriculture and food systems, on and off the farm, constituting a significant portion of the agricultural workforce worldwide. However, they often face numerous barriers such as lack of access to productive resources, financing, markets, agricultural training and education, suitable working conditions, that are underpinned by discriminatory norms and policies that limit their full potential and hinder agricultural development.

The panel discussion will build on the work of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines for Gender Equality and Women's and Girls' Empowerment in the context of food security and nutrition. It will explore how the guidelines can contribute to helping women overcome of the challenges they face in agriculture and food systems. Panelists will also highlight the importance of collecting sex and gender disaggregated data and will provide insights for the upcoming CFS workstream on reducing inequalities.

Private sector has made significant efforts in empowering women throughout the agrifood value chain and PSM members will use this event to showcase these activities throughout various crops and sectors. For example, PSM member, Nestlé is well poised to share its learnings on women’s empowerment from its activities increasing smallholder farmers’ livelihoods across dairy, cocoa and coffee production.

Register here.

Organizers:

• DG INTPA (European Union)
• FAO Investment Centre
• Sweden
• The Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative (SIANI) 

Abstract:

Agrifood systems are challenged to strengthen their sustainability, inclusiveness, transparency and resilience, often requiring significant trade-offs between economic, environmental and social goals. A strong and accessible data and analytical foundation, and participatory consultative processes are critical prerequisites for identifying policy options for Governments, civil society and private sector to consider. Though sufficient data may be available, decision-makers often lack the capacities and tools to interpret and act on them.

This joint side event, organised by the EU, FAO, the Government of Sweden and SIANI, brings together diverse actors and geographic perspectives to discuss this critical interface between data and analysis and multistakeholder processes for policy and investment decision-making. It presents insights from crosscutting regional analyses of 50 country EU-FAO-CIRAD food systems’ assessments as well as lessons on how to collate, align, and avail data efficiently and transparently for consumers, practitioners, and decision makers. The panel will also examine the challenges, opportunities and trade-offs of developing policies and investment to enhance the environmental sustainability of terrestrial and marine food systems. 

Register here.

Organizers:

• The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSIPM)
• Mexico
• Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

Abstract:

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) negotiations dealing with policy recommendations on data collection and analysis tools in the food system provided an opportunity for the CFS to enhance its understanding of how digitalization and digital technologies could dramatically change the food system in the next decades, for better or for worse. 

On the one hand, this technological evolution brings opportunities for the realization of the right to adequate food and nutrition, as new ways of sharing and processing information emerge. On the other hand, there are social and ecological risks, especially for small scale farmers, youth, rural and urban consumers, and Indigenous People, as digitalization can deepen existing inequalities, lead to technological lock-ins, and use a huge amount of minerals and energy. 

From the beginning, governance has been a much-discussed topic. The central question in the room is what role States should have to guarantee that the digitalization of the food system benefits the people that are most affected by food insecurity, supports small scale producers that produce the largest part of food especially for internal markets and leads to a food secure future for all, grounded in human rights, food sovereignty, biodiversity, and agroecology.

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Organizers:

• European Commission, DG INTPA, Unit F3
• GIZ
• IFAD
• UNICEF
• WHO

Abstract:

Data are critical for food security and nutrition, and essential to drive programmes and policies, to track progress towards the SDGs, to detect time trends, and to course correct in this historical moment of conflict, climate change, pandemics and other shocks. Countries need strong, agile data systems that can quickly adapt to evolving situations, and work across sectors. Yet data strategies are often fragmented, best practices are not well-documented, and lessons learned are unincorporated, resulting in suboptimal outcomes and ineffective use of limited resources.

This side-event will showcase experiences of generating and using data from three data-focused initiatives: 1) the learnings from the 50x2030 initiative to Close the Agricultural Data Gap based on a partnership between IFAD, FAO and the World Bank, aiming to strengthen the data systems in lower and lower-middle income countries to enhance decision-making for agriculture and food security; 2) two initiatives from the European Union: the European Commission-Nutrition Information System (EC-NIS) project implemented by UNICEF and WHO to strengthen the generation and capacity of nutrition data within health information systems and beyond; and the National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN) initiative supported by UNICEF, GIZ and CATIE to transform data and multisectoral nutrition information systems to influence and drive programmes and policies in nine countries.

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Organizers:

• Parliamentary Network Team (Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO Headquarters)
• Spain-FAO Programme in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC)

Abstract:

The second Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition, held in June 2023, further highlighted the crucial role of parliaments in fighting hunger and malnutrition towards the progressive realization of the Right to Adequate Food, especially in times of crises.

The Global Parliamentary Pact called for CFS to establish appropriate mechanisms for the representation of parliamentarians actively involved in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in CFS sessions and a stronger involvement of parliaments as key drivers for the implementation of CFS outcomes.

FAO has been expanding outreach to and collaboration with parliaments worldwide, proactively engaging parliamentarians and their networks within and across national assemblies.

The wealth of experience gained and lessons learned, and the progressive consolidation of networks linking committed parliamentarians all over the globe, can be capitalized to further strengthen the uptake of CFS recommendations - and their incorporation in national legislation and policies - with a more proactive approach to involve legislators along with national governments and other relevant institutions and actors.

The side event will focus on pathways to strengthen contributions to and uptake of CFS policy products by parliamentary institutions and networks, based on regional and national needs and demands.

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Organizers:

• Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and Fight Against Hunger (Brazil)
• Ministry of Health (Brazil)
• National Food and Nutritional Security Council of Brazil (CONSEA)
• Instituto Fome Zero
• FAO Regional Office in Chile
• WFP Center of Excellence in Brazil

Abstract:

In 2003, a series of policies and governance structures were implemented in Brazil, including the Zero Hunger Strategy, the conditional cash transfer program Bolsa Família, programs to support small farm agriculture, educational programs promoting health, such as school feeding, programs to access micronutrients, promotion of adequate and healthy eating in public environments and facilities, strengthening of primary health care, and a multi-level and multi-participatory 

participatory governance system for food security and nutrition systems (SISAN), including the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security (CONSEA), whose format ultimately inspired the CFS Reform in 2009. Brazil exited the UN's hunger map; however, the dismantling of social public policies during the period from 2016 to 2022 brought the food and nutritional insecurity as the main problem to be overcome. Over 33 million people are experiencing food insecurity in the country, and to address these adversities, a resumption of various intersectoral actions is necessary. What are the challenges and how can we avoid further setbacks in the future? What mechanisms are necessary to eradicate food and nutritional insecurity? Discussions about the various forms of malnutrition and their unequal impact on the population demand assertive measures with the collaboration of international cooperation.

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Organizers:

• Private Sector Mechanism (PSM)
• Kenya
• United States of America
• Solutions from the Land (SfL)
• Self-employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
• Digital Agriculture Association (DAA) 

Abstract:

The future of agriculture will be driven by data, and its effective management can help deliver SDG outcomes, improving livelihoods and increasing food security and nutrition. Agricultural data and their use for better decision-making is key to digital transformation of agriculture, but farmers’ willingness to adopt digital solutions is affected by concerns regarding fragmented and unclear data governance arrangements.  This reduces the availability and accessibility of agricultural data that are valuable for agricultural policymaking, for agricultural innovation and the development of services for the sector.

The challenge is to find a balance between protecting the privacy and confidentiality of agricultural data, farmers’ economic interests in that data, while making it possible to leverage their potential for the sector’s growth and innovation, which are vital for better livelihoods and increased Data management policies must ensure the beneficiaries of data across the entire agrifood value chain stand to benefit from data shared.  Without the adequate safeguards for data of diverse types, sources and sensitivities, the value of this data can be lost.

This side event aims to share the concerns and potential of data management policies from a farmer’s perspective to promote data-driven decision-making to help farmers monetize their data and drive more climate smart interventions. Increased collaboration is needed between the multiple actors involved in this space which include: generators of data (farmers), data management entities, third party platforms, and government.

Lastly, the side event will be an opportunity to highlight the recently endorsed CFS guidelines on Data in promotion of greater use of data collection and monitoring tools, and the challenges to doing so. Best practices on data management policies exist and should be shared with all CFS constituencies in support of the uptake of CFS guidelines on data. 

Register here.

Organizers:

• FAO
• IFAD
• UN Women
• WFP
• European Commission (DG INTPA)
• Togo
• The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Abstract:

Advancing gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment (GEWGE) is intrinsically linked to achieving food security and nutrition (FSN). This side event will share good practices and evidence-based learning from the UN Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) and the GIZ global programme on Food Security, Nutrition and Enhanced Resilience.

The event will highlight how the use of integrated multi-stakeholder interventions have been effective in tackling systemic barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Learning to be shared will include the use of gender transformative approaches, gender sensitive indicators and tools for measuring improvements in women’s nutrition and women’s empowerment in agriculture. The good practices to be shared are highly relevant to the operationalization of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women and Girl’s Empowerment and to the findings of the newly published FAO report on The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems (2023). Learning on the use of the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women indicator (MDD-W) will be presented, along with advocacy for the integration of the MDD-W into SDG monitoring to enable global data collection and comparison.

The event will involve high-level speakers from Sweden and the EC, and programme practitioners from Nepal, Rwanda and Togo.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Canada
• New Zealand
• The United Kingdom
• FAO
• Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
• Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP)
• Forest and Farm Facility, Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition
• World Health Organization
• SUN Movement
• UN-Nutrition Secretariat

Abstract:

Climate change and malnutrition are two of the greatest challenges facing humanity today and are intrinsically intertwined.  Through the strategic integration of these priorities, a comprehensive solution can be provided to concurrently address two major obstacles to sustainable development. The CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition (VGFSyN) provide a systemic, multi-sectoral science and evidence-based approach to implementing interventions to deliver healthy diets and positively impact all three dimensions of sustainable development. However, the persistent divide between the climate and nutrition communities leads to fragmentation in policy and action implementation.     

This side event will present the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) and launch two reports highlighting the latest developments in evidence base. Followed by a panel discussion and open forum discussion led by the GAFSP, to showcase examples of integrated climate-nutrition actions and strategies implemented across diverse projects driven by recipient countries, and by forest and farmers producer organizations in response to climate and nutrition challenges. This forum will also provide a platform for discussing the need of financial resources to support these strategies. The outcomes of the event will contribute to removing financial barriers for integrated action and contributing to shaping the roadmap to COP28.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Global Alliance for the Future of Food
• Agroecology Coalition
• IFOAM Organics International
• World Wildlife Fund International
• Agroecology Fund

Abstract:

Agroecological approaches are increasingly recognized as powerful levers for solving major challenges that the current agricultural and food systems face. 

As the UN Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD) call for the need of food system approaches to solve the global human and ecological crises we currently face, materializing the synergies between conventions will only be viable via integrated approaches and it will require investments and finance. Agroecology promotes the sustainable management of agriculture and the preservation of agrobiodiversity to climate and sustainable land management policies. 

Thus, boosting finance in agroecology would greatly accelerate the food system transformations necessary to achieve Rio Conventions’ targets on climate, biodiversity and desertification simultaneously with achieving food security. 

The side event will demonstrate how agroecology connects and delivers on these goals. It will share the results of discussions among a group of donors (bilateral, multilateral and philanthropic donors, private investors and governments) taking place immediately before the CFS (20-21 October). It will present data on investments in agroecology and a methodological tool to assess how much funded projects and programmes contribute to an agroecological transformation based on their alignment with the 13 principles of agroecology as articulated in the HLPE Report.

Register here.

Organizers:

• FAO
• IFAD
• High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) of the CFS
• Université du Sine Saloum El-hâdj ibrahima Niass - USSEIN (Senegal)
• University of Cape Town (South-Africa)
• Climate KIC

Abstract:

Cities in Africa are increasingly affected by climate change. The FAO's Green Cities initiative aims to help local governments adapt to these new conditions by promoting green infrastructures such as green spaces, urban and peri-urban agriculture, urban and peri-urban forest, food systems, circular economy, etc. The mobilization of citizens is important to the success of these transformations, and especially the young who are the very future of cities, is essential but still limited in Africa. The initial reflections on the involvement of citizens (so called agency as the sixth dimension of food security) in the forthcoming report of HLPE-FSN on urban food systems, will serve as a basis for discussion. Several testimonies will follow: the point of view of a Senegalese professor on the responsibilities of decentralized universities, the challenges encountered by a young African researcher, the lessons of a recent Climathon tested in three secondary cities in West Africa, and finally an exciting FAO project on the creation of green jobs mixing highly educated and uneducated young people. The debate will focus on how to boost the confidence of mayors to engage in green transformation with young people, and the mechanisms they could put in place locally to achieve this.

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Organizers:

• FAO
• WFP Madagascar
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Abstract:

By 2050, feeding a global population of almost 10 billion will require a radical transformation in how food is produced, processed, traded and consumed. Ensuring energy access for all, and at every stage of agrifood systems, is a critical dimension of this transformation. 30% of global energy is consumed by agrifood systems and one third of agrifood emissions come from energy. 12% of total food production is lost due to lack of effective refrigeration, amounting to 4% of global GHG emissions.

Energy inefficient agrifood systems contribute to aggravate climate change, energy and food insecurity, while in 2021, 675 million people had no access to electricity and 2.3 billion to clean cooking.

Renewable energy solutions and integrated food-energy systems can directly advance energy and food security, while also contributing to job creation, gender equality and climate resilience and adaptation. 

Increasing access to sustainable, green energy solutions can serve as an entry point for providing an ecosystem of integrated services needed to drive rural transformation in geographically remote/isolated areas. 

This side event will give an overview of concrete examples and opportunities for energy-smart systems to contribute to food security and nutrition, enhance the resilience of communities and contribute to sustainable development.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Misión Permanente de República Dominicana ante la FAO
• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland
• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom
• CGIAR
• SWISSAID
• farmbetter Ltd.
• Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) of FAO
• Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) of the international Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD
• The World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies, WOCAT
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, KALRO

Abstract:

Global agrifood systems are both drivers of climate change and vulnerable to its effects. But with today's knowledge, technologies, and innovative approaches, we can reverse this negative relationship and turn it into a positive one. Within the context of the UN Decade of Family Farming, an expert panel takes a deep dive into how agroecological approaches can empower smallscale farmers as innovators to restore and protect ecosystems and nourish families under changing climates; how digital solutions, like AgriPath or AeD-LABs, can capture and share that local knowledge; and how the flow of international climate finance can be increased in line with its importance to global emissions, adaptation and resilience, and food security.

As part of the Breakthrough Agenda launched at COP26, priority technology areas like agroecology and digital services were further identified to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes, reduce GHG emissions, safeguard soil, water resources, and natural ecosystems, and build climate resilience. 

This side event therefore presents key findings and recommendations from the 2023 Breakthrough Agenda Report. Showcasing solutions, the event aims to catalyze urgent action towards food systems transformation.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• UN-Nutrition
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
• The Urban Food Systems Coalition (UFSC)
• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
• GAIN
• The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments
• EcoAgriculture Partners
• German Development Cooperation (GIZ)
• The Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems (HDSFS)

Abstract:

Transformative action to deliver healthy diets from sustainable food systems is essential to end malnutrition in all its forms and achieve the interlinked, and interdependent 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Local and regional governments have successfully promoted the importance of local and territorial food systems in achieving overall food systems transformation and the SDGs. The emphasis now shifts to greater facilitation and acceleration of coherent national and local action. Food systems drivers, including the influence of urbanisation and the need for better integration of value chains across the rural-urban continuum, offer numerous opportunities and policy entry points for urban and local governments, and other local stakeholders. Interventions to support local food systems can create co-benefits for people and nature. Actions at the local level can play a catalytic role in tackling widening social and economic inequalities. They can also address the worrisome convergence of rural-urban food consumption patterns favouring highly processed foods often high in unhealthy fats, sugars or salts. Efforts to support local, place-based food systems can leverage national action to combat malnutrition, protect and conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, boost livelihoods and support local formal and informal economies.

Within the rural-urban continuum, harnessing the food systems connectivity of small and medium size cities and rural towns is key. Action should ensure quality service provision, and improve access, affordability and desirability of nutritious foods. Sustained impact depends upon people-centered, multisectoral approaches led by robust, inclusive food systems governance and targeted investment at the local, regional and national levels.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family and fight against Hunger – Brazil
• FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean - FAO RLC
• National Council for Food and Nutrition Security – Brazil
• Municipal Secretariat for Food Nutrition and Security of the city of Curitiba
• ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
• ICS - Climate and Society Institute
• LUPPA - Food Public Policy Laboratory
• Colombia

Abstract:

Globally, approximately 80% of food production is consumed in urban areas. In Brazil, about 85% of the population lives in cities. Cities are widely seen as engines of economic growth and employment, responsible for a considerable part of the global gross domestic product. Conversely, cities also facing enormous challenges in guaranteeing access for all residents to essential services such as health, education, transport and food, in addition to have deal with the harmful impacts of the increasingly constant extreme weather events that affect people's livelihoods and income. 

These trends mean that urban and peri-urban areas also concentrate risks of food insecurity and increased prevalence of all forms of malnutrition. 27 million of the 33 million Brazilians in severe food insecurity live in cities. The consumption of ultra-processed foods is also higher in cities, contributing to the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases. Conversely, urban and peri-urban areas are rich in possibilities, serving as hubs for education, technology, innovation, health, social services, besides for food production, processing and distribution. 

In this sense, the Brazilian government has been discussing the design of a National Strategy for FNS that can offer guidelines and tools to support cities in the implementation of FNS policies.

Register here.

Organizers:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Asian Farmers Association (AFA)
• The Sable Green Trust
• Youth Farmer Representative
• CCFD-Terre Solidaire

Abstract:

The contribution of Nature based Solutions (NbS) to climate action and nature conservation is increasingly gaining attention globally. Nevertheless, their application in agriculture, and their impacts on food security and employment opportunities have largely been overlooked, especially considering youth inclusion in equitable agricultural value-chains.

This session will try to clarify the concept of NbS, discuss their use in agriculture, and see how these NbS could support the shift from grey to green resources, and promote equitable and inclusive agricultural value chains.

Speakers, including farmers, experts and countries representatives will: 

(1) Share knowledge and experiences related to the implementation of Nature-based Solutions in agriculture;

(2) Discuss potential challenges and pre-requisites for NbS to contribute to inclusive and equitable production systems, creating green jobs especially for the youth;

(3) Draw lessons, including on the role of key support actors, including governments and financial institutions.

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Organizers:

• Indonesia
• MIKTA Countries (Indonesia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Australia)
• Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD)

Abstract:

The world today faces an unprecedented global food security and nutrition crisis in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to cope with overlapping shocks, slowdowns, and downturns. The global community has seen a series of major setbacks to stability in regions across the world and identified current and longer-term threats to global food security. Collective action is key to the global recovery. 

Under the 2023 MIKTA Chairmanship, Indonesia prioritizes promoting collaboration through the multilateral platform for a better inclusive recovery. In this regard, digitalization can play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive recovery by ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach all segments of society. 

Data-driven policy in agriculture and food systems and their uptake for better decision-making, innovation, and impact on today’s global food insecurity are crucial for all stakeholders, particularly smallholder farmers. Digitalization has helped establish climate-resilient agriculture and revolutionized supply chain management by improving transparency, optimizing processes, as well as increasing competitiveness and agility. The reality, however, shows that data gaps, digital divide, and digital illiteracy have been the main impediments for most developing states.  

As an inclusive and collective platform mandated with achieving food security, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is the appropriate forum for consultation to accelerate our common efforts to achieve food security, including eliminating the above-mentioned barriers. It is self-evident that a qualified set of data and accurate analysis are required in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of effective food security and nutrition (FSN) policies. It is, therefore, necessary to continuously maintain, while enhancing the enabling environment, for such data and analysis for growth and innovation in the agricultural and food system. Addressing the digital literacy and skills gap, supporting technological adoption, and developing digital financial services for all food security and nutrition stakeholders will be critical  to be further discussed, among other things, in the forum. Other important issues include agricultural data privacy, security, and confidentiality that have become of global interests. 

The objective of the event is to share the experiences, best practices, and expertise in the field of digital transformation in agriculture and food systems of MIKTA countries with other FAO members.

Register here.

Organizers:

• World Food Programme (WFP) Social Protection Unit
• g7+ Secretariat
• Government of East Timor
• Government of Pakistan
• Government of Tanzania

Abstract:

The proposed side event aims to facilitate an inter-governmental dialogue among high-level government representatives, sharing practical experiences in enhancing social protection programs, national systems, and inter-sectoral synergies to effectively address hunger and malnutrition. It focuses on lessons learned from implementing the CFS Recommendations on Social Protection for Food Security, fostering reflection, cross-fertilization, and sharing key insights, including evidence review and analysis of policy reforms.

Discussions will be audio-visually documented for cross-country learning and a comprehensive understanding of CFS recommendations for policymakers and practitioners in developing countries, contributing to disseminating good practices and shaping future policies. 

The event showcases a systems approach, integrating programs like school meals, cash, and asset transfers to effectively tackle hunger and malnutrition. It aligns with the outcomes of the UN's Food Systems Summit, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and inclusive social protection systems. A Policy in Focus Magazine issue will summarize evidence on interdisciplinarity, placing food security and nutrition at the center of social protection poverty reduction and broad socio-economic development objectives. The event fosters collaboration, exchange of good practices, and highlights the investment case for enhancing food security and nutrition outcomes at scale, contributing to several global sustainable development goals.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Canada
• International Agri-Food Network
• Next Generation Agricultural Impact Network (NGIN)
• Nuffield International
• Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA)
• International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS)

Abstract:

Following the endorsement of the CFS Policy Recommendations on Promoting Youth Engagement and Employment in Agriculture and Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition during CFS’s 50th Plenary session in 2022, the time has now come to ensure effective implementation of those policy recommendations.

Investing in Youth through education, capacity development and academic programs on a scale that transcends national and regional boundaries, has incredible potential to reduce inequalities, accelerate economic development in rural areas, transform our food systems and ensure the next generation of food producers and food system professionals inherit more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

Many programs currently exist to precisely do this yet lack the necessary financing and resources to expand their reach and grow their participation beyond the countries that they were established or traditionally operate within. This event intends to showcase these programs and link them to international funding and development organizations they can work with to achieve scalability on a global level.

Recognizing that the youth of today inherit the success or failure of our global food systems, ensuring increased access to opportunities for youth can be the greatest driver to reduce inequalities in the future.

Register here.

Organizers:

• World Benchmarking Alliance
• Proforest Initiative
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Abstract:

This session will feature the launch of the World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2023 Food and Agriculture and Nature Benchmarks, assessing the world’s 350 most influential food and agriculture companies as well as introducing Proforest’s Africa Sustainable Commodity Initiative (ASCI) as a functional multistakeholder platform for responsible commodity agriculture in Central and West Africa, including the Congo Basin. 

With the aim of closing the corporate accountability gap, the session will dive deep into how the private sector can play a role in farmers’ livelihoods and the health of people and the planet. The link will be made on how using the tools and instruments available for assessing private-sector performance can drive action and accountability.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Dominican Republic
• Costa Rica
• La Via Campesina
• World Farmers’ Organizations
• Asian Farmers Association
• COPROFAM
• PROPAC
• ESAFF
• PIFON
• ROPPA
• PDRR
• FAO (UNDFF Joint Secretariat)
• IFAD (UNDFF Joint Secretariat)
• IUCN-FFF

Abstract:

Family farming is a way of life that, from its productive activity, generates food and services essential to food and nutritional sovereignty and security. It employs 30 percent of the world’s population, producing over 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms, and acting as custodians of biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage.

Family farmers and their representative organizations have a unique potential to drive the transformation towards more sustainable, resilient, biodiverse and nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems that can simultaneously provide economic and social benefits, while protecting the ecosystems upon which agriculture depends and respecting the cultural and social diversity of territories. Ensuring family farmers have access to adequate policies and instruments is a key element to addressing actual and future interconnected challenges for sustainable agrifood systems, including climate change.

Family Farming is at the core of the CFS program, profoundly linked with their products and policy recommendations. Since the launch of the UNDFF, it has successfully promoted policy change through the development and use of comprehensive policy plans and tools in more than 77 countries. It mobilized 2,625 actors in various dialogue processes and committees, including 1,853 family farmers’ organizations and federations; and, 262 policies, laws and regulations were developed and approved supporting family farming and the transformation towards sustainable agrifood systems.

Register here.

Organizers:

• World Food Forum (WFF)
• FAO's Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB Youth)
• International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS)
• YOUNGO - International Youth Climate Movement
• International Forestry Students Association (IFSA)
• CGIAR Gender Platform

Abstract:

Although global youth are at the forefront of action towards sustainable agrifood systems, many young people around the world are facing enormous challenges in accessing the resources, finance, technology, knowledge and information that they need to be active contributors to agrifood systems transformation. While there have been policy efforts and products to review the opportunities for and constraints to youth engagement and employment in agrifood systems, it will be crucial to translate these global policy recommendations into tangible action at the local level. This side event emphasizes the enhanced value of collaboration and coordination between governments, youth networks and other key stakeholders in ensuring that the global policy recommendations on promoting youth engagement and employment are a catalyst to youth-led agrifood systems transformation in communities, cities and countries.

As such, this event will explore the most suitable modalities for shifting global policy guidelines to support and catalyze local change efforts and processes. It will also highlight case studies from diverse regions to demonstrate how local action can be shaped by global policy recommendations adapted to specific local contexts.

Register here.

Organizers:

• Private Sector Mechanism (PSM)
• Global Dairy Platform
• Philippines
• Nestlé
• US Dairy Export Council 

Abstract:

According to the recent HLPE report, Reducing Inequalities for Food Security and Nutrition, inequalities in food systems are often related to food accessibility and availability, among other things. Access to healthier, nutritionally adequate diets in turn can lessen inequalities in populations, leading to greater health, education, and employment opportunities.

In many developing countries, access to healthy foods and the ability to purchase them are often reserved for a select few. In these countries, creating efficiencies in purchasing power and availability of nutrient dense foods among them can help ease the burden of malnutrition by making nutritious foods affordable and accessible to the most people possible.

This side event will highlight ongoing projects designed to 1) generate a least cost diet model which generates foods and diets that can supply the most nutrients for the lowest cost; and 2) provide insights on malnutrition in India and Africa, and the importance of supplying low cost, high-quality protein sources more broadly to combat stunting, wasting, and related conditions.

Register here.

Organizers:

• The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSIPM)
• Oxfam Belgium
• TMG ThinkTank
• The Landworkers' Alliance

Abstract:

The Reducing Inequalities workstream will offer the opportunity to continue the dialogues on deeply rooted inequalities and persist in the demands coming from the constituencies and territories. One of the common threads is the necessity of an intersectional approach in the analysis of issues and the development of effective policy and the participation of those with lived experiences  in  policy making, including in the CFS.

The HLPE Zero Draft of Reducing inequalities defines intersectionality as interrelated and mutually shaping categories that describe groups who are minoritized and marginalized for instance by race and ethnicity, gender, age or ability. These discriminations intersect, shaping experiences of power asymmetries and contributing to further health and nutrition inequalities. In other words, intersectionality acknowledges that multiple forms of oppression intersect and compound the experience of other discrimination leading to unique experiences and challenges. The HLPE report also acknowledges that most systemic drivers of food and nutrition insecurity are rooted in power imbalances. Therefore, an intersectional approach to the question of food security and nutrition helps to inclusively develop sustainable policy responses addressing the multiple and intersecting forms of oppression and discrimination that different social groups experience and leading to a long-term fundamental overcoming of these structural inequalities.

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Organizers:

• WFP Colombia and Ecuador
• FAO Colombia
• Presidential Office for Zero Hunger
• Ministry of Agriculture Colombia

Abstract:

The Government of Colombia has launched an unprecedented initiative to address food insecurity andhunger in the country. The National Plan to achieve Zero Hunger has been placed under the direct responsibility of the President of the Republic, which demonstrates the commitment of the Government to address the persisting problems of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in the country. This commitment is even more relevant in a country where food insecurity is intrinsically linked to dynamics of violence and conflict, and achieving Zero Hunger is instrumental to realizing the vision of “Paz Total” (“Total Peace”) fostered by the national government.

The National Plan focuses on guaranteeing the right to adequate food and food sovereignty with and from the territories, according to three pillars of action:

1. Access to healthy and nutritive food;  

2. Food availability;  

3. Sustainable production and adaptation to nutritional needs

WFP and FAO Country Offices have been supporting the Colombian Government in designing the plan and identifying priority actions and targeting criteria that will help address the challenges of inequality and malnutrition, building the resilience of communities long cut-off by violence, and fostering the reactivation of the rural economy.

WFP and FAO will share examples on how the National Plan has been informed by a participatory approach and a concrete experience of an innovative project at the intersection of hunger and climate change.

FAO Colombia supported the development of participatory dialogues among civil society members, academia and national and local Government institutions around Human right to food and compiling reccomendations for the National Development Plan (PND). Additionally FAO supported the inclusion of a specific article in the National Development Plan Law (PND 2022-2026) to establish the creation of a system that guarantee the progressive implementation of the right to food (article 2016 in PND).

As part of the strategy against malnutrition and hunger, WFP Colombia and Ecuador Country Office, the Government of Colombia, and the Government of Ecuador, are currently implementing a binational project in two watersheds in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador. This project targets afro-descendent and Awá indigenous communities to strengthen food security and nutrition through climate change adaptation measures, in accordance with their priorities.

This project is an example of how the governments of Colombia and Ecuador are committed in recognising the need to continue supporting indigenous and Afro-descendent populations with food sovereignty and climate resilience programs. It is also necessary to highlight that the Government of Colombia includes 3 priorities into new National Development Plan to support vulnerable communities; 1) The commitment to water protection as an essential approach to build sustainable development. 2) To establish urgent measures that allow communities to adapt to the consequences of rising temperatures, such as droughts, floods and food shortages. And 3) To create forestry incentives and promote payments for environmental services.

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Organizers:

• Land Matrix Initiative (LMI)
• German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Global Land Observatory (FAO, ILC, CIRAD)
• Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI)
• International Land Coalition (ILC)
• The East Africa farmers’ Association
• The Tenure Facility
• Struggles for Land Forum

Abstract:

Large-scale commercial agriculture continues to replace agricultural practices of indigenous peoples (IPs), pastoralists, and smallholder farmers worldwide. At the same time, large-scale land deals for wind parks and solar farms take place in the context of global climate action. In addition, millions of hectares of land are required to meet the projected biological carbon removal in climate pledges and commitments. Such large-scale projects have detrimental impacts for indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC). These groups often rely on ecosystem-based approaches to agriculture such as agroecology that strengthen the resilience of food systems while supporting biodiversity, food security, nutrition and livelihoods. 

Given this, they should be recognized and supported as partners to mitigating and adapting to climate change and for protecting biodiversity. Secure land tenure rights are key to support their food systems and livelihoods and to protect their land from increasing demand for climate mitigation. To avoid “green grabbing” but achieve a “just transition”, the side event will raise awareness for the scale of the problem, present evidence about the contribution of these communities in tackling climate change, highlight lessons learned from the “global land rush” and discuss the role of strengthening international frameworks and land tenure rights.

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Organizers:

• FAO
• Germany
• Australia
• Rwanda
• Sri Lanka
• United Kingdom
• Environmental Law Institute
• International Water Management Institute
• Rights and Resources Initiative
• Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures Centre of Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania
• AIDA International Association for Water Law
• German Institute of Development and Sustainability
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Abstract:

The event addresses the issue of how security of water and land rights underpins food security, nutrition and climate resilience. It offers innovative global perspectives on land and water tenure as actionable concepts building on existing CFS-HLPE recommendations on water for food security and nutrition, as well as the VGGT. Understanding how tenure regimes are legally

defined, implemented, and protected in practice is fundamental to sustainable and equitable management of the resources and essential to achieving a responsible governance of them. Particularly for vulnerable populations and women, secure tenure rights are essential to improving livelihoods, food security, and gender equality, and are important determinants of climate resilience. 

Inspired by the VGGT, and backed by a COAG mandate, FAO has embarked on organizing a Global Dialogue on Water Tenure with the aim of identifying principles on the responsible governance of water tenure in an inclusive consultative process with Member States, civil society, academia and international organizations. FAO and partners have developed innovative water tenure assessment methodologies to equip stakeholders with crucial data to inform policy decisions and legislative reforms, support advocacy at all levels, and track national progress towards development and climate goals. The event will feature recent results of water tenure assessments and explore the possibilities to engage in the Global Dialogue.

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Organizers:

• FAO
• WWF International
• CGIAR 

Abstract:

Against the backdrop of the urgent global push to combat climate change's impact on agriculture, biodiversity, and food systems, this event underscores the pivotal importance of reshaping these systems to secure a sustainable 1.5°C future. Given the significant contributions of food systems to emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity decline, a compelling mandate exists to recalibrate international discussions and partnerships.

While the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) has emerged as a central arena advocating the integration of food, climate, land, and biodiversity goals through national pathways, challenges persist in translating these ambitions into actionable measures within frameworks like National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and Land Degradation Neutrality Targets (LDNs).

Building on the draft CFS Multi-year Programme of Work 2024 – 2027 envisioning climate change and biodiversity as focal points to achieve SDG2, this session aims to foster collaborative strategies among relevant ministries, transcending agriculture and environment, to curtail climate change and mitigate biodiversity loss via sustainable agrifood systems. The speakers will provide concrete examples of actions at farm, sub-national and national levels that can support adaptation in the agrifood systems and maintain a 1.5C pathway.

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Organizers:

• UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
• FAO
• International Land Coalition (ILC)
• The Struggles for Land Forum
• Danish Institute for Human Rights
• Land Portal Foundation
• TMG Research

Abstract:

Escalating pressure on food systems and land use, climate change and eroding respect for human rights have led to a deepening global crisis in the recognition and protection of tenure rights, which are essential for food security and livelihoods for millions of people. Progress towards achieving SDG target 1.4 on equal rights to ownership and control over land and other resource is off track. The VGGT provide the guiding global framework for good land governance, but urgent and coordinated global action is needed to mobilise political commitment and investment to achieve tenure security for all.

This event will bring together a wide range of CFS actors to present the case for more coordinated global action to advance tenure security. It will present proposals for a multistakeholder global campaign and draft Framework for Action. It will show how a focus on human rights compliance in land governance through systematic monitoring and policy dialogue can promote VGGT implementation and increase accountability. It will provide examples of cost-effective measures to advance tenure security such as coordinated land data efforts. And it will present examples of local and regional struggles for land and the ambition for an International Forum on Land Struggles.

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Organizers:

• World Food Programme (WFP)
• Institute of Development Studies
• Columbia University
• International Food Policy Research Institute
• Cornell University
• Tufts University
• International Policy Centre for Inclusive Development

Abstract:

The event aims to explore the evolving thinking and approaches regarding social protection's role in food security, nutrition, and food systems transformation. Through a panel discussion with global thought leaders, including original authors of the 2012 HLPE Report on Social Protection, the event will synthesize emerging evidence and ideas from the past decade. 

The primary objective is to deepen understanding of social protection's impact on food security and nutrition, identify research gaps, and propose policy recommendations to strengthen national social protection and its inter-sectoral linkages with food systems. The expected outcomes include an updated understanding of social protection's role in promoting human capital development and addressing intersecting inequalities through improved nutrition, identifying gaps in social protection responses to crises, and formulating research needs and policy recommendations. To ensure broader reach and influence, the findings and recommendations will be published in a journal commentary. 

By contributing to the ongoing dialogue on social protection and its crucial role in achieving food security and nutrition, the event aims to facilitate meaningful progress in the field. It seeks to inform policies and practices that can effectively address the complex challenges of the multiple burdens of malnutrition, ultimately improving the well-being of individuals and communities.

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Organizers:

• Consumers International
• World Trade Organization
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Rockefeller Foundation 

Abstract:

The triple crises of conflict, climate, and COVID-19 have exposed the fragility of our overconcentrated food systems, resulting in soaring consumer prices while undermining the livelihoods of small-scale and family farmers. Governments and international organisations have worked to bring down global commodity prices by facilitating international trade and strengthening domestic food production; but this decrease is not being effectively transmitted to consumers, nor are producers benefitting from the high prices being paid. Instead, weak competition and market distortion are leading to record profits, built on unfair prices.

Delivering fair food prices for all requires urgent action to improve competition measures – both at national level and in global commodity markets – in order to tackle excessive pricing, financial speculation, and more. This side event will bring together representatives from government and international organisations, as well as consumer and farmer voices, to discuss the actions needed to deliver fair food prices; and explore how these efforts can be supported by a range of CFS policy products, including the Recommendations on Price Volatility and Food Security; the Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition; the Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food; and the ongoing work on Data Collection and Analysis.

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Organizers:

• Right to Food Team ESP FAO
• Germany
• Switzerland
• Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
• International Development Law Organization (IDLO)

Abstract:

At a time of compounded and multiple crises where conflicts and wars, COVID-19, the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity put high pressure on countries, humans and nature, this side event aims to highlight how a human rights-based approach driven by the right to adequate food, can provide game changing solutions.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, nature and soil degradation, as well as pollution are affecting the life and health of billions around the world. Negatively impacting the full and effective enjoyment of a wide range of human rights and entrenching the fragility of countries and vulnerable and marginalised groups. In the last year, key milestones such as the COP27 on climate change and COP15 on biodiversity as well as the recent recognition of the human right to a clean environment, and the issuance of General Comment 26 on Land have illustrated the inextricable nexus between nature and the people who depend on it.   

The Right to Adequate Food is realized when everyone always has physical and economic access to adequate food or means for its procurement. Fundamentally, the human right to food illustrates this connection and how its realization depends on this correlation with a healthy and climate stable environment. 

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