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Bogota, Colombia (21 - 23 November). The Development Law Service of FAO’s Legal Office (LEGN) participated in the “South-South Cooperation for the Urban Food Agenda” event held from November 21 to 23 in Bogota. This collaborative initiative, organized by FAO in conjunction with the Governments of Brazil and Colombia, included engagement from the Intermediate Cities and Food Systems Network and Local Governments for Sustainability.

During the event, Hugo Muñoz, LEGN’s Legal Consultant, presented the initial findings of a study focused on reducing food loss and waste (FLW) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study aims to provide a toolkit for implementing the recommendations outlined in the 2021 FAO Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction. The study underscores the significance of addressing the code of conduct’s recommendations through partnerships among local governments, businesses, with the support of national governments. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of utilizing mechanisms such as public policies and corporate protocols to complement regulatory efforts. The study will include recommendations for the effective implementation of strategies to reduce FLW and consolidate a collective commitment to a more sustainable and equitable food future.

FAO’s efforts to legislate for the prevention and reduction of FLW in the Latin America and Caribbean region include: the study “Legislative Advances on Prevention and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean,” (Available only in Spanish) the Legal Brief for Parliamentarians in Latin America and the Caribbean No.10 “Legislating to Prevent and Reduce Food Loss and Waste,” and the development of the Model Law for the Prevention and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste by PARLATINO (Available only in Spanish). These efforts underscore the region’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12.3, which targets a reduction in food losses by 2030.