FAO and Association of Commonwealth Universities meet to discuss first South-South and Triangular Cooperation Research Network
27/02/2024 Rome/London - The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened today, in London, the first meeting of key ACU member universities, science and research actors, to consider potential opportunities and approaches for pursuing a South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Research Network (RESNET) project, within the context of evolving food systems transformation.
The overall aim of the RESNET project is to form the world’s largest university network through South-South and Triangular Cooperation on agrifood systems transformation – connecting 600 universities from 100 countries across the globe working on selected themes impacting food system transformation.
In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) in FAO has joined forces with the ACU, a global network of more than 400 institutions with a shared commitment to building a better world through international collaboration in higher education.
RESNET will also strengthen and establish links between research centres, UN entities, innovation hubs and regional entities, providing opportunities for collaborative working and innovative solutions, via SSTC.
During the meeting, both the FAO and the ACU reaffirmed the need to build more synergies between university networks, and their wider stakeholders, covering different regions and focusing on different agrifood system components.
“We are a step closer to establishing the world’s largest university network on South-South and Triangular Cooperation on agrifood systems transformation. The RESNET will be designed to produce results of demand-driven research, which will ultimately address farmers’ needs through effective transdisciplinary South-South and Triangular Cooperation” said Mr Nafis Khan, Senior Programme Officer, PST.
The ACU’s programmes, projects and examples of best practices were presented, along with its interventions concerning climate resilience and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Colin Riordan CBE, ACU Secretary General and Chief Executive said: “By creating connections between food system experts in our member universities, we can leverage the power of higher education to address the complex challenges of international farming and food systems. Through being part of innovative initiatives likes this, we hope to contribute to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”
During group discussions, all counterparts discussed three possible thematic areas for the RESNET, namely: climate change impact on food system transformation, nutrition sensitive agriculture and policy reforms for food system transformation.
Additional potential broader roles for the RESNET were also identified during the brainstorming sessions, which included providing technical assistance to member countries, mapping food systems networks, and ensuring capacity enhancement through formal training.
FAO and ACU colleagues agreed to meet in May to initiate the drafting of the concept note for the potential pilot project.
