Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

Dear Sir/Madam,

Below are comments from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, for the first three items:

1) Building resilient supply chains for FSN 

The pandemic and the war in Ukraine have also magnified several differences that are not directly mentioned in the narrative, such as (a) the greater vulnerability of the poor and other disadvantaged groups (e.g., women, youth, the landless and refugees); (b) the important regional and national differences in policy reactions, demographics, food and economic system structures; (c) the digital divide between rich and poor (e.g., internet access and disruptions in schooling in developing countries). 

Additional suggested questions: 

  • How can access/investments to information and communications (e.g., early warning systems, development of improved data and indicators, and digital technology) be increased to anticipate shocks?
  • What are the various instruments needed to absorb shocks (e.g., better access to finance and liquidity, infrastructure and digital connections, and R&D for improving food production systems)? 
  • How can transformation in governance models support the transition towards resilient food systems? 

2) Urban and peri-urban food systems 

In the narrative there is a strong focus on the importance of the municipal governments in FSN, however, national activities including political will and finance are needed too to drive impactful change at larger scales. 

Additional suggested questions:  

  • How to engage citizens and empower them to drive inclusive change and provide next to top-down also bottom-up approaches? 
  • What are the main lock-ins at different levels preventing FSN in urban and peri-urban settings and how to overcome them? 

3) Conflicts and the fragility of food systems 

While short term emergency support measures are important, they do not replace the importance of refocusing the food sector in the long run towards sustainability and resilience. Food sustainability is fundamental for food security. Innovation through research, knowledge, technology, agro-ecology and adoption of best practices can mitigate pressure on costs without hurting production capacity, leading to long-term progress in productivity to achieve the green transition.  The current crisis confirms that we need to accelerate the food systems transition towards sustainability to better prepare for future crises.

Additional suggested questions:  

  • How can research and innovation help mitigate food insecurity?
  • How can the UNFSS coalitions assist and be the enablers of change for food sustainability and resilience to ensure food security?

Best regards,

Magdalena GAJDZINSKA

Research Policy Officer

Plant production, food safety and microbiome