In September 2014, FAO organized the International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition. The symposium emphasized that future food systems need to suit the reality of smallholders and family farmers.

Concious of the need to link the agroecological outlook to local and regional socio-ecological realities, FAO chosed to expand on discussions begun in Rome via a number of regional symposia in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean throughout 2015. A summary of the contributions and outcomes of the regional symposia is presented here in a brief format for decision-makers.