©FAO/Max Valencia

FAO welcomes new Global Parliamentary Pact to promote the right of adequate food for all

On 15-16 June the Second Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition was held in Valparaíso, Chile with a strong call for an agreement among parliaments around the world to move towards making food security a reality for all.

During thematic sessions and side events, they also identified and shared examples of good practices, particularly relating to the development of innovative legislation.

At the end of the Summit, on 16 June, new Global Parliamentary Pact to work towards the transformation of agrifood systems and to promote the right to adequate food for all was adopted.

“This event has demonstrated that the first meeting of parliamentarians in 2018 in Spain was not a coincidence. A process has begun today in Chile that will continue in other continents. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will continue to provide technical support to legislative actions that contribute to guaranteeing the right to adequate food”, said Mario Lubetkin, FAO's Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, welcoming the Pact at the Summit’s closing ceremony.

In the text, over 200 parliamentarians, 15 presidents and vice-presidents of national and regional parliaments and parliamentary bodies from 64 countries agreed to commit themselves to work for a transition towards agrifood systems that are sustainable, inclusive, equitable, resilient and conducive to the realization of the right to adequate food for all.

The text also requests FAO to assist in the further development of technical ways to support the implementation of the Pact, such as reviewing existing data collection and reporting systems; exploring ways to develop global reports; facilitating the support and cooperation among parliamentarians; and supporting awareness raising and capacity development activities.

Finally, the Pact calls on international partners and donors to support these efforts, requests the Committee on World Food Security to establish a mechanism for the representation of parliamentarians fighting hunger and malnutrition.

At the Summit Georgia was presented by Ms. Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Gender Equality Council as well as of the Committee on Agrarian Issues at the Parliament of Georgia. She made the opening remarks of the session 2 dedicated to the gender gap in food security and nutrition with her video address.

“The gender gap in food security and nutrition is a major challenge that we must address urgently. It not only affects the lives of women and girls but also hinders the progress of our society. By empowering women and challenging stereotypes, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for future generations”, said Ms. Tsilosani.

Third Global Parliamentary Summit will be arranged no later than 2026.

The Summit was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the National Congress of Chile and the Government of Chile, with the support of the European Commission, the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and the Parliamentary Front against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean.