‘Bonding science and policy to accelerate food systems transformation’

 ‘Bonding Science and Policy to accelerate Food Systems Transformation’ 

REMARKS BY FAO DIRECTOR-GENERAL, DR QU DONGYU 

THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2021

As delivered

 

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.          Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will be strongly affected by how successful we are in transforming the agri-food systems.

2.          Agri-food systems are also imposing pressure on natural resources, biodiversity, the environment, and climate.

3.          More than 3 billion people around the world lack access to healthy diets, nearly 690 million suffer from hunger, while 2 billion consume low quality diets that cause micronutrient deficiencies and contribute to diet-related obesity and non-communicable diseases.

4.          The COVID-19 pandemic may push some 100 million people into extreme poverty and even many more into chronic hunger.

5.          The pandemic has prompted all of us to rethink the way we produce, process and consume food.

6.          It has also heightened our awareness of the urgent need to adopt a holistic, coordinated approach to “build back better”.

7.          There is no doubt that we need science, technology and innovation to transform our agri-food systems.

8.          To leverage emerging opportunities for reaching a world free from poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

9.          Strengthening the science-policy interface is critical for that.

10.          Existing scientific evidence can effectively inform policy and catalyse the transition to sustainable, inclusive and resilient agri-food systems.

11.          International scientific assessments, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services have the potential to synthesize existing knowledge and build consensus.

12.          Today’s meeting offers a precious opportunity to bring together science communities with policymakers and other stakeholders for an engaged dialogue.

13.          A dialogue, which is necessary to identify game-changing solutions for achieving agri-food systems transformation in an accelerated manner, within the Decade for Action to deliver the SDGs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

14.          FAO is supporting Members in developing scientific knowledge, policies and science-policy interfaces for agri-food systems transformation.

15.          We work on improving capacities to develop and strengthen legal, regulatory and policy frameworks that create an enabling environment for agri-food systems development.

16.          We are also enhancing the knowledge base and strengthening capacities to use data, information and knowledge in policy development and decision-making.

17.          FAO provides a neutral forum for policy dialogue and policymaking at national, regional and global level.

18.          The country-led and country-owned Hand-in-Hand Initiative uses data and modelling to provide a comprehensive view of economic opportunities.

19.          The Initiative aims to improve the targeting and tailoring of innovation, institutional reform, finance, investment and policy interventions.

20.          FAO also hosts various global platforms that support the generation and application of scientific knowledge in policymaking and the interaction between the scientific community and policymakers.

21.          For example, the International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture, which provides structured and strategic policy recommendations on the digitalization of food and agriculture.

22.          Our new centres are advancing the knowledge base to inform action and act as support hubs for science-policy dialogue: the Joint FAO/WHO Centre that handles CODEX food standards and zoonotic diseases and the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre on Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

23.          FAO is the UN Anchor Organization of Action Track 1 “Ensure Safe and Nutritious Food for All” and promotes the other Action Tracks through its involvement as a support UN Agency, drawing on the extensive knowledge generated by our technical divisions.

24.          FAO’s newly appointed Chief Scientist and FAO’s Chief Economist are part of the Scientific Group that is ensuring the robustness, breadth and independence of the science that underpins the Summit and its outcomes.

25.          We will hold a ‘UN Food Systems Summit 2021 Science Day’ at our Headquarters in June.

26.          This FAO-led event will highlight the centrality of science, technology and innovation for agri-food systems transformation, increase awareness and inspire trust in science through public mobilization and engagement.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

27.          I am very pleased that today’s event will initiate dialogue on the critical issue of the science-policy nexus to support agri-food systems transformation.

28.          And we must link efforts to advance science-based policymaking at the global level to those undertaken at regional and national levels.

29.          Science has a crucial role to play in identifying synergies and trade-offs across the different dimensions of agri-food systems and in designing urgently needed policies to make them sustainable, inclusive and resilient.

30.          You can count on FAO’s support in the UN Food Systems Summit preparatory process and in implementing the Summit’s follow-up actions and recommendations.

31.          And we will continue leading global efforts for sustainable, inclusive and resilient agri-food systems by better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

32.          I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.