Civil Society Mechanism evaluates the Committee on World Food Security since its reform

11 October 2014, Rome - Civil society plays a crucial role helping building consensus, giving a voice to the hungry, representing the diversity that exists in society and being a part of international decision-making processes, FAO Director-General told civil society representatives today at the Organization’s headquarters, where they began the annual forum of the International Civil Society Mechanism to UN Committee in World Food Security (CFS).

Opening debate

More than 200 civil society representatives will assess this weekend the last five years of the CFS since its reform in 2009.  Civil society representatives will work to find consensus on key issues to be discussed in next week’s plenary meeting of the Committee.

The aim of this weekend’s discussions is to bring a clear and unified voice of civil society to the week-long CFS.Graziano da Silva said in his welcoming remarks. “We offer FAO as a neutral forum to help building consensus,” he added.

The welcoming session held a panel debate on progress made, shortcomings and challenges ahead. Civil society representatives stressed the importance of the CFS as the global forum for all issues related to food security and nutrition.

“Within the UN system, CFS is the unique place which allows civil society participation in this way. This is the place to work together with the governments,” said Andrea Ferrante, from La Via Campesina.  Ferrante also recognised the “self-organization and autonomy” that FAO guarantees to civil society.

Topics of discussion for this year’s meeting of the Civil Society Mechanism include action on protracted crisis, food losses and waste, fisheries and aquaculture, review of the 10 Years of the adoption of the Right to Food Guidelines, discussions on the Post-2015 Framework and progress of the International Year of Family Farming.

Chandrika Sharma commemoration

The welcoming session commemorated Chandrika Sharma, reknown defender of fisher-folks rights and former participant of the CSM, who sadly went missing earlier this year on flight MH370 when flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Zoila Bustamante, fellow fisher-folk, read a Pablo Neruda’s poem on homage to her memory followed by the profound applause of the audience.

Welcoming remarks

FAO Director General highlighted how civil society has facilitated engagement and contributed to the development of some of the most successful CFS outcomes, such as the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) -an unprecedented international agreement on tenure governance- or the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems -to ensure that the rights and livelihoods of local communities are protected and the degradation of natural resources is avoided.

“You were also part of the 4 000 people involved in the consultation process that enabled the FAO Committee on Fisheries to approve the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries,” FAO Director-General told the representatives. “You have helped introducing important ideas such as Food Sovereignty or Agro-Ecology in the international agenda,” he added.

 “The CSM is an incredible success,” said Gerda Verbug, Chair for the UN Commtittee on World Food Security (CFS). “I believe in a multi-stake holder approach where all concerned parties are around the table to find the best opportunities.”

Graziano da Silva stressed that civil society will also play an important role in the upcoming Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), to be held in Rome in November through the Civil Society Organizations Pre-Conference, scheduled days before the main conference starts.