Head of UN Food Systems Coordination Hub briefs EU stakeholders on post-Summit developments

The Director of FAO’s Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Head of the UN Food Systems (UNFSS) Coordination Hub, Stefanos Fotiou, briefed various European Union stakeholders on the latest developments and upcoming initiatives of the post-UNFSS process during a two-day visit to Brussels.

At the AGRIFAO Working Party of the Council of the European Union, Fotiou highlighted the coordination role of the Hub and talked about its specific work in relation to existing mechanisms, as well as the country-driven aspect of the coalitions, developed in the context of the UNFSS process. The Hub’s structure addresses core issues within food systems in support of, and alignment with, national development agendas.

At the European Commission’s DG INTPA offices, the Chair of the UNFSS was joined by representatives of DG SANTE, DG AGRI and DG INTPA to discuss some of the upcoming milestones that will guide the work of the Hub, including the 2023 Stocktaking Moment.
This event, due to be held next summer, is set to create a conducive space for countries to take stock of progress and bottlenecks, as well as to review commitments to action that were made during the Summit and share success stories and early signs of transformation.

A fruitful dialogue and exchange with representatives of Brussels-based civil society organizations and think tanks gave an opportunity for Fotiou to highlight the role of non-state actors in the post-Summit process.

At a meeting with the UN Brussels Team, Fotiou emphasized the key role of United Nations Agencies in implementing the outcomes of the Summit and the central role of the Hub as a catalyst in that respect. He also shared next steps that are foreseen and announced the launch of dedicated website for the Hub.

You can read more about the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub here.