WEBINAR - Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems
The technical webinar "Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems" is part of the series organised by the FAO elearning Academy, Agreenium (l'Institut agronomique, vétérinaire et forestier de France) and UN-ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific).
The webinar aims to: 1) provide an overview of the existing resources on the formulation of nutrition-sensitive outcomes for sustainable food system policies, investments and programmes; 2) promote an understanding of current country needs to prioritize interventions, and 3) share the results of national research as evidence of the importance of sustainable nutrition-sensitive food systems.
The webinar will take place on 24 February 2021, 15:00-16:30 CET.
Please register here to participate in the event.
WEBINAR - How can we produce food and take action for climate and nature?
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in agriculture are a critical solution for positive change. Farmers, ranchers, and food producers are on the frontlines of climate change and play an important role in developing and implementing solutions. Climate and biodiversity actors are increasingly seeing agriculture as a central solution set and they are engaging the agricultural community to solve our collective challenges. When deployed properly, NbS can provide a triple benefit: improving the productivity and resilience of agriculture, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and enhancing nature and biodiversity.
FAO and The Nature Conservancy collaborated to explore the potential of NbS in the much-needed transformation of our food systems. This collaboration has generated three reports addressing NbS in agricultural production systems: 1) a literature review on the state of the science; 2) a policy brief on the case and pathways for adoption, and 3) a finance guide for identifying and creating investable projects. A jointly organized webinar will address the question of how NbS in agriculture can help address climate change and conserve land, water and biodiversity.
The webinar will take place on 11 February at 10:00 AM EST.
Please register here to attend.
Consultation
Data collection and analysis tools for food security and nutrition - HLPE e-consultation on the Report’s scope
During its 46th Plenary Session (14-18 October 2019), the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) adopted its four-year Programme of Work (MYPoW 2020-2023), which includes a request to the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (CFS-HLPE) to produce a report on “Data collection and analysis tools” for food security and nutrition, to be presented at the 50th Plenary session of the CFS in October 2022. To implement this CFS request, the HLPE is launching an open e-consultation to seek views and comments on the scope and building blocks of the report.
Reports and briefs
How to feed the world in times of pandemics and climate change? - Opportunities for innovation in livestock systems
Progress towards Zero Hunger must be protected from the dual challenges of pandemics and climate change. The frequency of infectious disease outbreaks – including the emergence of novel viruses and zoonotic diseases – is expected to continue rising as livestock, food security, economies, and global...
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Call for applications for the second edition of the International Innovation Award for Sustainable Agriculture
Since 2018, FAO and the Federal Government of Switzerland encourage innovation by publically recognizing best practices through the International Innovation Award for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. The award does not only acknowledge digital innovation, but also new or existing products or practices that are used in a specific context, to increase effectiveness, competitiveness and resilience. The second edition of this Award has been launched, which is open to individuals, private companies and institutions. It comprises two categories:
• Category A awards excellence in digitization and innovation for sustainable food systems (USD 30 000)
• Category B recognises an innovation that empowers youth in sustainable food systems (USD 30 000)
In the spirit of the forthcoming Food Systems’ Summit in 2021 and aligned to the aspirations and goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the candidates should demonstrate the important role of their innovation in transforming food systems through sustainable food and agriculture and the improvement of food security and nutrition for all, particularly in the face of increased environmental challenges. In line with the requirements and technical competencies of the Federal Office of Agriculture of Switzerland, all innovations must apply to agriculture and pastoral systems only.
This call is open until 19 March 2021.
More information on this call and on how to apply can be accessed here.
18-22 January: Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2021
The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international conference on central issues of global agricultural and food policies, held in Berlin on an annual basis. The 2021 event will take place virtually on 18–22 January focusing on the topic of how can agriculture provide the world with food in the long-term for a balanced diet despite pandemics and climate change.
As in the past years, FAO will participate in the GFFA at several levels, including the following events:
CFS: Water and climate recommendations to feed the world
18 January 2021, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (CET)
The discussion, organized jointly by FAO and the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), will look at water as the primary medium through which we all feel the effects of climate change.
More information
Managing city region food systems – Enhancing strength and resilience against pandemics and climate change
19 January 2021, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (CET)
The joint panel discussion of FAO and the Global Partnership on Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Food Systems, will provide a forum for urban and national representatives to share experiences and review how the City Region Food Systems approach has helped them deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to define a vision on the way forward.
More information
How can innovation help strengthen the sustainability of food systems and prevent future pandemics?
19 January 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CET)
The panel will bring together a group of high-level policy makers, including FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, to discuss the impacts of the pandemic on food and agriculture and the role of innovation in this respect.
More information
Attending these virtual events is free of charge, it only requires prior registration through the GFFA website here.
Trainings, tools and databases
Enabling sustainable food systems - Innovators’ handbook
Sustainable food systems are fundamental to ensuring that future generations are food secure and eat healthy diets. To transition towards sustainability, many food system activities must be reconstructed, and myriad actors around the world are starting to act locally. While some changes are easier...
Consultation
Promoting youth engagement and employment in agriculture and food systems - HLPE consultation on the V0 draft of the report
During its 46th Plenary Session (14 – 18 October 2019), the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) requested its High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) to produce a report entitled “Promoting youth engagement and employment in agriculture and food systems”. The report will be presented at CFS 48th Plenary session in October 2021. As part of the process of elaboration of its reports, the HLPE is organizing a consultation to seek inputs, suggestions, and comments on the present preliminary V0 draft.
Reports and briefs
Leaving no one behind - A Regional Outlook on Gender and Agrifood Systems
In Africa, women are critical agents of change in the fight against rural poverty, hunger and malnutrition. They are the backbone of their households, communities, and rural economies covering important roles in food production, processing and marketing, and also in the nutrition of the family...
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Reports and briefs
Empowering young agri-entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture and food systems - Policy recommendations based on lessons learned from eleven African countries
Measures that empower young agri-entrepreneurs should be a key component of a sustainable development-centred investment promotion strategy. The very realization of future generations’ food security, the sustainable transformation of food systems and the combat against unemployment and distress...
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