Rome became a hub of parliamentary dialogue on 10-11 November as lawmakers and partners gathered at FAO headquarters in Rome to chart the path towards the upcoming Third Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition, set to be held in 2026. The Pre-Summit meeting brought together more than 50 participants and stakeholders from 20 parliamentary institutions and 5 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and government agencies. Discussions emphasized ensuring the upcoming Summit is a decisive moment to align priorities, integrate regional perspectives, and develop bold strategies for legislative and policy actions to advance food security, nutrition and sustainable agrifood systems globally.

Parliamentary Action for Food Security and Nutrition

FAO Deputy Director General Maurizio Martina stressed FAO's commitment to forging innovative partnerships with parliamentary institutions, calling on representatives to shape an ambitious, actionable and transformative Third Global Summit and noting that FAO’s partnership approach “has not only complemented our traditional ways of working – it has amplified it.”

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Pan-African Parliament, First Vice-President, Hon. Dr Fatimetou Habib, reaffirmed the Pan-African Parliament’s readiness to host the Summit in 2026. “The Pan-African Parliament stands ready to host the global parliamentary community in 2026. Together, we must transform our shared vision of a world free from hunger and malnutrition into concrete, coordinated, and measurable action,” she underlined, emphasizing that the Summit is a pivotal opportunity for global parliamentary unity and action to end hunger and ensure nutrition for all.  

Hon. Luca De Carlo, President of the 9^th Standing Committee (Industry, Commerce, Tourism, Agriculture, and Food Production) of the Italian Senate emphasized the need for a unified approach to challenges and ensuring agriculture plays a central role in national resilience and prosperity.  

Hon. Mirco Carloni, President of the Agriculture Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, stressed that food security is “not only a humanitarian issue but a political and strategic priority.” He also highlighted Italy’s cooperation models, notably the Mattei Plan for Africa, which promotes projects in agriculture, water, supply chains and infrastructure.

Speaking via video message, Ms Mónica Corrales, Director of Sectoral, European and Multilateral Cooperation at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), underscored the irreplaceable role of parliamentarians in eradicating hunger and malnutrition. She highlighted their capacity to establish robust frameworks, promote nutrition-sensitive policies, and ensure accountability mechanisms that advance the fulfillment of international commitments.  

Speakers repeatedly highlighted the indispensable role of parliaments in driving the transformation of agrifood systems. Regional dialogues brought major challenges to the forefront – including climate change, infrastructure gaps, inequalities and fragmented governance. Climate change was recognized as the most significant threat, causing droughts, water scarcity, desertification and soil degradation, jeopardizing food production and stability. In response, participants urged decisive action through climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and stronger water management legislation.

Persistent inequalities – especially gender disparities – were highlighted a barrier to achieving food security. Many women, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, face restrictions on land ownership and limited access to credit, vulnerabilities that climate change only deepens. Delegates stressed the need to embed the right to food into legislation and public policies, to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all.

Agroecology and innovation, including digital agriculture and regenerative practices, were also spotlighted as vital tools for building resilience and reducing reliance on chemical inputs.

Funding shortages were flagged as an obstacle, prompting proposals for innovative measures to finance nutrition and social programmes. Strengthening regional cooperation, promoting responsible investments and fostering gender-responsive policies are essential strategies to accelerate progress.

Regional Perspectives and Approaches

Different regions shared tailored approaches: Africa emphasized fulfilling the Malabo Declaration and promoting agroecology, while the Middle East focused on water scarcity and desertification, advocating for water-efficient and climate-smart farming. Asia highlighted responsible investment and climate resilience, Europe emphasized land governance and digital innovation, Latin America and the Caribbean stressed addressing inequality and gender equity, and the Mediterranean called for urgent climate action and integrated water-food-energy solutions.

Building Towards the 2026 Summit

The Pre-Summit discussions confirmed that achieving food security and nutrition for all requires coherent, equitable laws; stable financing; and empowered parliaments – and legislators across regions are prepared to move from isolated efforts to collective, coordinated action.

Participants agreed that the 2026 Summit should reinforce legal frameworks for resilient, inclusive agrifood systems, mainstream the right to food and agroecology, and mobilize innovative financing. Strengthening parliamentary engagement and regional cooperation will be critical to achieving food security. The message is clear: only through resilient, inclusive, and accountable agrifood systems can the global community achieve the vision of a world free from hunger and malnutrition.

Side Event: Parliamentary Action on Climate and the Environmental

This dedicated side-event explored the pivotal role of parliaments in climate and environmental policies. FAO convened a technical panel to discuss key initiatives, featuring experts from its partnerships, climate and legal offices.

Regional showcases spotlighted parliamentary efforts driving climate and environmental action, with contributions from PARLATINO, AIPA, the African Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change, and the APF. High-level speakers underscored the urgency of integrating climate and environmental priorities into national legislation and policies, emphasizing that parliamentary leadership is essential for building sustainable, resilient development pathways aligned with global climate goals.

FAO supports parliamentarians through targeted assistance, technical expertise and guidance, ensuring that they are well-equipped to address complex environmental and climate challenges and providing a comprehensive framework to enhance parliamentary engagement in these critical areas.

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