FAO strengthens capacities of parliamentarians on agroecology during the Commission for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF)

On 9-11 April 2024, FAO joined the spring meeting of the Commission for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs (CAESE) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) hosted by the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Luang Prabang.

During the three-day event, FAO’s participation included facilitating field visits and providing capacity building on agroecology to more than 20 parliamentarians from nine countries, along with parliamentary officers and advisers, giving them the opportunity to visit two farms managed by young farmers. During the visits to the farms – which use agroecology principles and embrace agrifood practices embedding sustainability for economic, social, and environmental dimensions – delegates and farmers held rich exchanges on the key challenges and enablers for young farmers, including what lawmakers can do to support inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems transformation. 

FAO officers facilitated debates, providing parliamentarians with key agroecology concepts and concrete examples from the region. FAO also highlighted its proactive engagements with parliamentarians around the world, including its recent work assisting the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) towards developing a model law on agroecology.

In addition to agroecology, FAO contributed to debates on topics relevant to its mandate including climate change, circular economy, use of plastics and antimicrobial resistance. By engaging with policymakers and communicating the importance of sustainable agriculture practices, FAO can help to create a more enabling environment for the adoption of agroecological approaches.

FAO and APF have a longstanding relationship, with an official partnership signed in 2020 marked by concrete collaborations helping advance the role of parliamentarians towards inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems transformation.