©FAO/Camilo Pareja

July 23 2021, Rome – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took part in the high-level discussion of the GEF Independent Dialogue for the Food Systems Summit 2021 (FSS), hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to step up efforts, increase investment and advance the integrated approach to transform food systems. The overall objective is to discuss and highlight how experiences from GEF programs could contribute to the Food Systems Summit process, identifying challenges and opportunities for transforming agri-food systems at global and national level.

In attendance were partners from the World Bank Group (WBG), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division, Manuel Barange stated that FAO – especially the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) – contributes to the FSS’ actions towards the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular to Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 14, targeting the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and marine resources.

He outlined game-changing solutions that the CFI is implementing to tackle environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges in three regions and six countries, engaging women, reducing loss and waste, and promoting decent work in West Africa; strengthening participatory mangrove management in Latin America; and promoting the eco-systemic approach as a pathway to sustainable fisheries in Indonesia.

@FAO/Yacine Cissé

“The CFI contributes to improve fishery product processing and commercialization practices by women in West Africa (Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal), transfers capacities to fishing communities on fisheries research and data collection and supports participatory mangrove management that involves fishing communities in Latin America (Ecuador and Peru), while promoting participatory fisheries management planning and implementation in Asia (Indonesia),” he said.

Cabo Verde’s Minister of Sea, Paulo Jorge Lima Veiga, highlighted the transformative actions that the CFI is initiating in West Africa to ensure resilient food systems.

“The CFI has paved ways towards more efficient and sustainable fishery value chains and livelihoods sharing lessons learned on fishing community engagement, organizational structures, access to resources, services and credit to improve fishery product processing and the business practices of women,” he added.

Working hand in hand with the GEF towards a resilient recovery from COVID-19

Manuel Barange outlined that FAO will continue to support the GEF’s efforts towards a green, blue, and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To rebuild food systems, FAO is embracing an integrated, holistic approach, ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all, shifting to sustainable consumption patterns, boosting nature-positive production, advancing equitable livelihoods and increasing resilience through more sustainable fisheries value chains and livelihoods,” he said.

The FSS 2021 is part of the UN’s Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. It is also an opportunity for collective and coordinated action to rebuild food systems as part of efforts to “build back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CFI is a collaborative, global effort funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) bringing together UN agencies and international conservation organizations at the forefront of efforts to improve fisheries management and conserve marine biodiversity in coastal areas through better governance and strengthening seafood value chains. The Initiative is implemented by Conservation International (CI), FAO, UNDP, UNEP, the WBG and WWF.