Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Official Comment United Cities and Local Governments

3.         Are the trends/variables/elements identified in the draft report the key ones to strengthen urban and peri-urban food systems? If not, which other elements should be considered?

Are there any other issues concerning urban and peri-urban food systems that have not been sufficiently covered in the draft report?

Are topics under- or over-represented in relation to their importance?

We believe reference should be made to the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments within the report, specifically, within section 5.4.2. “Embedding cities in transnational networks”.

The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF) is the coordination and consultation mechanism bringing together the major international networks of local and regional governments worldwide, to undertake joint advocacy related to global policy processes and amplify the voice of local governments in international policy making processes. Its very existence represents a landmark achievement for the

international municipal movement. Local and regional governments are the only UN non-state stakeholder to have a mechanism such as the GTF, to develop and coordinate inputs into global policy processes, among others, related to food security and urban food systems.

4.         Is there additional quantitative or qualitative data that should be included?

Are there other references, publications, or traditional or different kind of knowledges, which should be considered?

1. UCLG, Metropolis, UN Habitat, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Ajuntament de Valencia, CEMAS, Barelona World Sustainable Food Capital, 2021, Urban Food Systems: Nutrition and the Climate Emergency: Outcome Policy Recommendations, 2021;  Accessible: https://www.uclg.org/sites/default/files/policy_recommendations_citiesarelistening_food_systems.pdf
2. UCLG, Metropolis, UN Habitat. 2020, Press Release: Access to health food: Lessons from a pandemic. Accessible: https://www.uclg.org/sites/default/files/en_press_release_lle_food_systems_final.pdf
3.  UCLG, Ministère de L’Europe et Des Affaires Étrangers, Let’s Food Cities. 2024. Rising to the Challenges of Food Insecurity: Initiatives by Local and Regional Governments, Accessible: Forthcoming.
4. Global Platform for the Right to the City, 2022, UCLG GOLD VI Report on Pathways to urban and territorial equality: Case-based contribution to Chapter 8: Prospering: Inclusive Economy and Food Security, Accessible: https://strapi.goldvi.uclg.org/uploads/ch8_prospering_49_776a891481.pdf
5. Aguilar, Mercedes, Paula Bejarano, and Juan Carlos Díaz (UCLG Commission on Local Economic Development). 2022. Social, solidarity, and circular economy to build alternative economic paths”. UCLG GOLD VI Pathways to Equality Cases Repository: Prospering. Accessible: https://gold.uclg.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/ch8_prospering_48.pdf
6. CoHabitat Network. 2022. Fighting climate change in cities: urban agriculture, green AND affordable homes and neighbourhoods UCLG GOLD VI Pathways to Equality Cases Repository: Renaturing. Accessible: https://gold.uclg.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/ch7_renaturing_39.pdf
7. Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF). 2022. Towards the Localization of the SDGs: Local and Regional Governments’ 6th Report to the HLPF. Accessible: https://gold.uclg.org/sites/default/files/hlpf_2022.pdf

6.         Could you suggest case studies and success stories from countries that were able to strengthen urban and peri-urban food systems? In particular, the HLPE-FSN would seek contributions on:

a) evidence-based examples of successful interventions in urban and peri-urban food systems with the principles behind what made the process work;

An example is the Apici Project which aims to address the challenges posed by the lack of organization among farmers, inadequate rural infrastructure, and limited crop diversity in Siem Reap's food system. The Apici project fostered transformation of the agricultural sector to enhance the collective marketing of local products and lower production costs for local farmers while bolstering their bargaining power. This involved the establishment of three cooperatives, 36 credit and savings groups, and the initiation of a producers' market. The structuring of local value chains through cooperatives and the provision of accessible distribution spaces have effectively addressed market access issues for small-scale local farmers thus enhancing their negotiating power, and contributing to the strengthening of food security for both producers and consumers alike.

Reference: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS - November 2023 - United Cities and Local Governments and Let’s Food

b) efforts made to enhance agency in urban and peri-urban food systems;

An example is São Paulo’s Municipal Council for Food and Nutritional Security (COMUSAN-SP) established in 2013 to ensure the effective implementation of proposed measures by various entities. COMUSAN-SP's activities involve proposing, monitoring, and inspecting municipal actions related to food and nutritional security, collaborating with civil society organizations and other municipal departments and actively engaging with residents in policy and decision-making processes.

Reference: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS - November 2023 - United Cities and Local Governments and Let’s Food

c) efforts made to enhance the right to food in urban and peri-urban settings;

In Montpellier, a project called the "Common Food Fund" ("Caisse Alimentaire Commune"), inspired by a national policy to combat food insecurity and promote sustainable, high-quality food, is contributing to ensure access to quality food for all through a universal income that can be utilized for specific products. The initiative was shaped by a citizen committee, involving disadvantaged groups and following principles of participatory democracy, to ensure it reflected the diversity and will of the community.

During a trial period, residents received a monthly allocation of a currency equivalent to spend on approved food products while contributing to a mandatory monthly contribution.

The project securesd support from both public and private funding, as well as membership fees and collaborations with local food distribution outlets and the local public wholesale market.

Reference: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS - November 2023 - United Cities and Local Governments and Let’s Food

d) examples of circular economy and urban and peri-urban food system and climate change adaptation and mitigation, preferably beyond issues of production; and

One example is the Agroforestry Program for Antananarivo (ASA Program) launched in 2014 which  aims to make a sustainable contribution to combating poverty and food insecurity in Madagascar, while also focusing on the preservation of the local environment. The program’s goal is to enhance the income of producers and ensure local communities have access to fresh food and wood energy products.

The program focuses on providing financial and technical assistance to local farmers to encourage the sale of high-quality and nutritious products to peri-urban and urban populations, addressing nutritional deficiencies often prevalent in these areas. These initiatives include building the capacity of producers, assisting in product marketing, the development of business plans, and post-harvest management to reduce food losses.

Beyond addressing immediate agricultural concerns, the ASA program tackles the issue of rural-urban migration, where many Malagasys migrate to Antananarivo in search of opportunities but often face unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.

Reference: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS - November 2023 - United Cities and Local Governments and Let’s Food

e) examples of national and local government collaboration on urban and peri-urban food systems.

In the city of Amman, Jordan, the escalating issues of food insecurity have prompted the emergence of urban agriculture. This practice has become an integral part of the municipal agenda since 2007 whereby the city implemented an urban agriculture and food security program, utilizing public land for cultivation. The municipality, through its "Office for Urban Agriculture" and through a collaborative Multilateral Forum involving public and private entities, NGOs, and citizens, has established partnerships with international organizations to encourage residents to produce their own food, supported by the cooperation of various stakeholders and backed by ministries such as Agriculture and the Environment.

Reference: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES BY LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS - November 2023 - United Cities and Local Governments and Let’s Food