Legal policy frameworks for improved food security and nutrition

Rome - On the first day of the Future of Food Symposium, following a discussion on the role of academia as a key partner in achieving Zero Hunger, FAO and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) signed a partnership agreement to work on issues at the intersection of food security, law and policy. 

Founded in 1919, UCLA is the fourth-oldest university of the 10-campus University of California system. The university hosts the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, which stimulates discussion on important decisions about food issues through scholarship and policy analysis. The Resnick Center serves communities at both local and global levels, building a solid foundation for food law and policy by convening conferences and events that address important issues in the food system.

The partnership between FAO and UCLA foresees the development of joint research programs and collaborations that focus on laws related to food security, nutrition, food safety and quality, and consumer protection and food fraud. The collaboration would generate knowledge and supporting legal documents that would enhance food security and nutrition, in the context of FAO’s work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Laws can be a critical tool to shape the food system in a way that is more sustainable and strengthens food security and nutrition.” said Antonio Tavares, Legal Counsel of FAO. “We look forward to working with the Resnick Centre on different aspects of food law to this effect.” 

Michael Roberts, the Executive Director of the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, also welcomed the agreement. “The UCLA Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy is proud to deepen its commitment with FAO and others to create a world that promotes a healthy diet in order to improve the health and quality of life,” he said. “We look forward to memorializing this commitment in a Memorandum of Understanding with FAO and then getting to work. We have a great respect for the FAO and are pleased to do what we can to make the world a little better.”