FAO will participate in a debate on ‘’Policies driving Organic and Sustainability’’ that will take place during the BIOFACH, in Nuremberg, Germany, on the 12 February. The session will highlight examples from a Community of Practice of policymakers dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food systems. Emma Siliprandi, FAO’s Agricultural Officer who is leading the Scaling up Agroecology Initiative, will show how the Initiative can contribute to the food system transformation by increasing knowledge and innovation, supporting policy process at national and international level and by building connections among different stakeholders such as producers, governments, research institutions, civil social organizations and private sector.

Mr. Mogens Jensen  (Minister for Food, Fisheries and Equal Opportunities of Denmark), Mr. Lee Cha Young (President of the Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture and Mayor of Goesan County)  and Mr. Dhanush Dinesh (Global Policy Engagement Manager, CGIR – CCFSA) will also present the link between the national/local programmes that support sustainable food systems. The session will be moderate by Ms. Louise Luttikholt, executive director of IFOAM – Organics International.

Agroecology and organic agriculture provide an effective pathway for achieving the SDGs. Worldwide, there is a growing number of good examples showcasing how local and national policies can contribute to change. The panel expects to attract a wide range of policymakers, experts and members from different organisations, including private sector, to discuss how policies and regulations could help in the global scaling up process of sustainable practices.