FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The Interregional Initiative (IRI) is FAO’s delivery mechanism for the implementation of the FAO led the development of the Global Action Programme (GAP) on Food Security and Nutrition in Small Island Developing States. It focuses on the thematic areas of the GAP in which FAO has a leading role to play.

IRI builds on FAO’s existing projects and programmes by promoting and supporting coordinated action and knowledge sharing, facilitating exchange of good practices, and serving as a mechanism for the extension of a common set of tools and approaches across the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Seas (AIMS) regions.

The Interregional Initiative (IRI) on SIDS – Pacific Component

The Interregional Initiative (IRI) is FAO’s delivery mechanism for the implementation of the FAO led the development of the Global Action Programme (GAP) on Food Security and Nutrition in Small Island Developing States. Reflecting the spirit of the GAP, the IRI places particular emphasis on promotion of South-South Cooperation and developing partnerships within and outside the UN system, joining forces with other agencies, regional organizations, governments, development partners, civil society and the private sector. It will add value by promoting interregional and intraregional collaboration to address the need and demand of the three SIDS regions. FAO priority outcomes for the Pacific SIDS addressed through the Pacific component of the IRI in 2018-2019 aim at supporting countries in achieving the SDGs and include:

• Strengthened evidence-based information to support multisectoral policy action

Sharing of evidence, experiences and lessons learned from effective policies and approaches at national, regional, and interregional levels; developed comprehensive systems for monitoring trends in food availability and consumption, and nutrition and health outcomes in the region, in order to increase political commitment across sectors, and analyse the impact of policies and programmes, and to guide and strengthen future investments.

• Enhanced multisectoral commitment and action

Pacific SIDS have highlighted the need for enhanced support to ensure sustained political commitment across all relevant sectors, to improve multisectoral coordination and coherence of national responses, and to strengthen human and institutional capacities to achieve food security and nutrition goals.

• Improved sustainability, resilience, and nutrition-sensitivity of Pacific SIDS food systems

Sustainable management of coastal fisheries, oceanic and land resources based on agro-ecological principles, coordinated with improved productivity, efficiencies, and food safety and quality along value chains have been identified as key priorities.

• Actions scaled up to improve food security and nutrition among key target groups

Pacific SIDS leaders have identified the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities as an essential component of the regional approach to food security and nutrition. Priority areas in which greater cooperation is needed include: improving access of small-scale farmers and enterprises, particularly women and youth, to knowledge, awareness raising about malnutrition including obesity and NCDs and improved diets and the development of relevant crops and commercially viable value added locally produced products, resources, services and market opportunities; and improving the targeting effectiveness, and nutrition sensitivity of social protection programmes.