FAO partners with IPEA, to advance sustainable development policies

December 14, 2023, marks an important moment for both the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) in Brazil as they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the development and implementation of sustainable development policies.

“We are delighted to be establishing this partnership with one of the leading public think tanks from the Global South, at a time when Brazil has once again become a major voice in the global fight against hunger and poverty. I am confident that our cooperation with IPEA will help us expand the evidence and knowledge base to inform the design of more effective policies and programmes in the countries we serve”, said Benjamin Davis, FAO’s Director of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division.

Among the objectives of this collaboration is to provide support to the development of research on social protection, natural resource management, as well as to generate and disseminate evidence, and provide advice and technical assistance on policies geared towards improving food and nutrition security, especially among vulnerable groups.

The collaboration was designed to leverage the strengths of both organizations in fostering sustainable development. It is expected that the partnership will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate connections between public policies, agricultural practices, and sustainable development. Key areas of focus include the exchange of knowledge, joint research, advisory services, and the development and evaluation of programs and projects.

According to Luciana Mendes Santos Servo, IPEA’s president, “This partnership with FAO could not be timelier as fighting poverty and hunger (SDG 1 and 2) was recently announced as a key priority of Brazil’s G20 presidency for the next 12 months. We look forward to working together with FAO research and policy advisory teams to accelerate progress towards SDGs both in Brazil and globally. Producing evidence and sharing knowledge to improve social protection and food security and nutrition policies are at the heart of IPEA’s mission and tradition”.

FAO and IPEA have been officially collaborating since 2014. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is expected to further expand and deepen the partnership between the two institutions, with a view to accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.