Catalyzing change at CFS-52: Empowering Parliaments for Food System Transformation

Another significant milestone in the global parliamentary fight against hunger and malnutrition was reached at the 52nd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS52) side event, Catalyzing Parliamentary Action through CFS Policy Products and the Global Parliamentary Pact for food system transformation. The event aimed to showcase the transformative potential of the newly adopted Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition, as well as FAO’s efforts towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, through the implementation of CFS policy products.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food, strengthening the resolve of parliamentary networks worldwide to combat food insecurity. The Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition symbolizes unity between lawmakers to address the urgent challenges of hunger and malnutrition and enhance food security and nutrition through legislative frameworks. It fosters collaboration between more than 60 parliamentary alliances globally, promoting sustainable food system transformation – an endeavour recognized in the Resolution of the UN General Assembly A/RES/77/159.

Opening Remarks by Fatouma Seid
Fatouma Seid, Deputy Director of FAO’s Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary action in food systems transformation. She underscored the significance of the Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition, and the commitment it symbolizes from parliamentary networks to combat hunger and malnutrition.

Seid highlighted the need for resources, accountability and actions that track progress in reducing food insecurity rates. She emphasized the role of networking among legislators, enabling them to share successful interventions from their regions. The Pact, she noted, focuses on the vulnerability of specific populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities, and represents a global effort to harness legislative power to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Furthermore, she drew attention to the United Nations’ Global Pact for the Future, which calls for transformative strategies and actions that leverage parliamentary capacities and commitment to achieve the SDGs, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for a hunger-free world.

She also announced the launch of an e-learning course on parliamentary action for Food Systems and Nutrition, reinforcing FAO's commitment to providing parliamentarians with the tools needed for effective advocacy in food security legislation.

Keynote Speech by Her Excellency Nosipho Jezile
Her Excellency Nosipho Jezile, Chairperson of the CFS, highlighted the critical importance of disseminating and applying CFS policy products to national contexts. She called for actionable outreach plans that go beyond plenary meetings, ensuring that food security recommendations are tailored and relevant for local populations.

H.E. Jezile stressed the role of parliamentary networks in shaping national policy dialogues, decision-making and legislation, bridging global commitments with local implementation. She encouraged collaboration between CFS and parliamentary networks to create environments conducive to food system transformation. By fostering exchanges, parliamentarians can contribute meaningfully to the dissemination of CFS recommendations and thus, hold governments accountable for implementing effective food policies.

Insights from Parliamentarians
A diverse array of parliamentary leaders contributed their insights on ensuring food security and nutrition:

Honourable Senator Alessandro Vieira from Brazil's Federal Senate stressed that combating hunger must be a global priority, requiring commitment from all levels of government, as demonstrated by Brazil's constitutional protections for food rights and successful social programmes, such as Bolsa Família. Additionally, Hon. Vieira reaffirmed Brazil's ongoing partnerships in addressing hunger and poverty domestically and internationally.

Hon. Sonia Rojas, the Regional Coordinator of the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean, provided perspectives on the vital role of parliamentary networks in amplifying CFS initiatives, advocating for transformative action in agrifood systems.

Hon. Senator Gonzalo Robles, President of the Cooperation Committee of the Senate of Spain, articulated the increased importance of parliamentary commitment during times of conflict. He also emphasized the importance of parliamentary alliances in creating lasting political agreements to tackle these challenges, ensuring that political actions align with public will, highlighting the need for stable, multi-year planning in cooperation initiatives and underscoring the urgency of accelerating efforts to meet SDG2.

Hon. Françoise Uwumukiza, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism, and Natural Resources of the East African Legislative Assembly, highlighted ongoing projects to enhance institutional frameworks for agro-ecological practices in East Africa, building on the CFS Policy Recommendations on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches and further demonstrating the need for localized adaptations of internationally agreed norms and principles.

In a video message, H.E. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, emphasized the importance of the Global Parliamentary Pact against Hunger and Malnutrition and highlighted AIPA’s work towards ending global hunger and delivering on ASEAN's regional food security priorities, particularly through the ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry.

From the floor, Lilian dos Santos Rahal, National Secretary of Food and Nutrition Security in Brazil, made a thorough review of the trajectory of building policies against hunger anchored in the human right to food and announced the upcoming launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which aims to encourage international cooperation in addressing these issues. Spanish Senator, Hon. Elena Diego, noted the potential of the Ibero-American Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in creating sustainable solutions for food insecurity.

Concluding Remarks by Miriam Ciscar
The event concluded with remarks by Miriam Ciscar, Head of the Sectorial Cooperation Department at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). She reinforced the agency’s ongoing support for the FAO's initiatives, emphasizing the significance of collaborations between parliamentary fronts and international organizations. Ciscar stressed the vital importance of ensuring the active involvement of parliamentarians in the CFS to enhance the effectiveness of its activities and agreements at national level. She also highlighted the transformative potential of the Global Parliamentary Pact as a significant achievement, being the first parliamentary pact of its kind aimed at addressing global food security challenges. While the adoption of policies and legislation aimed at securing food security and nutrition is essential, she added, these policies are insufficient if they are not accompanied by adequate budget allocations, operational plans, monitoring systems, and accountability mechanisms. Ciscar also stressed the importance of reinforcing global commitments to multilateralism, and concluded by emphasizing the need for female cooperation, recognizing that addressing hunger and malnutrition necessitates a gender-inclusive approach.

Looking Ahead
The side event catalyzed renewed commitment to empowering parliaments as critical actors in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition. By leveraging the Global Parliamentary Pact through the CFS policy products, lawmakers can enact transformative change on national scales, while making their governments accountable to their international commitments, securing food rights and improving lives throughout the globe. As global crises continue to challenge food systems, the collaborative efforts of parliamentary networks will be essential in forging pathways toward sustainable food security for all.