Investment front and centre in World Food Day 2017 celebrations
Changing the future of migration by investing in food security and rural development is the theme of this year’s World Food Day. Such investments help build sustainable and resilient food systems and improve people’s access to safe and nutritious food to lead healthy, active lives. They also contribute to inclusive economic growth in rural areas – where most of the world’s poor live – as well as improved natural resource management and greater resilience to climate change.
The world is facing complex challenges. The number of people uprooted from their homes is higher today than at any time since the Second World War.
In 2015, over 65 million people had fled their countries because of conflict and political instability. That same year saw more than 19 million people internally displaced because of natural disasters
In addition, poverty, hunger and a lack of economic opportunities are compelling more and more people, especially young people, to migrate in search of a better life.
Enhancing quality and quantity of investments
For over 50 years, FAO, through its Investment Centre, has worked with its partners to assist member countries in enhancing the quantity and effectiveness of investments in food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development.
FAO provides a wide range of investment support, bringing innovation, knowledge and technical and policy expertise to bear on the process.
Recognized as a centre of excellence for investment design, especially of large, complex programmes, FAO helps countries become more strategic in their investment planning and decision-making.
It makes sure that producer organizations and small-scale farmers, herders and fishers are fully involved in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.
FAO also facilitates multi-stakeholder policy dialogue to create an enabling environment at country level for public and private investment, and it has developed globally agreed guidelines for responsible investments in agriculture and food systems.
FAO widely shares knowledge, international best practices and innovations to improve the quality of investments and strengthen local capacity.
Addressing global challenges
The targets set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals – from ending poverty and hunger by 2030 to protecting the global climate and creating decent job opportunities, especially for women and young people – are ambitious.
Achieving them will require greater investment from the public and private sectors, cooperation and innovative ways of working.
FAO’s longstanding partnerships with governments, international financing institutions, the private sector, civil society, research institutes and farmers, the largest investors in agriculture, are an asset.
FAO will continue to strengthen its existing partnerships and identify new ones to operate at scale and maximize impact.
By investing in food security and rural development, the international community can tackle some of the root causes of migration and displacement – and support the long-term recovery of affected communities. Migration should be a choice, not a necessity.
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