Strengthening national governance to accelerate agrifood systems transformation
At a recent webinar, experts examined key dimensions for inclusive, rights-based, and systemic agrifood systems policymaking at the national level, such as cross-sectoral policy integration, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable financing
Transforming agrifood systems is a shared journey. At a recent webinar organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, experts emphasized that national ownership creates a steady foundation that supports local initiatives and complements global partnerships, fostering coherent and sustainable progress.
“Governance is not just a background factor in food systems; it is the foundation on which we can build sustainable, equitable, and resilient systems,” said Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the Hub, at the webinar held on 7 July 2025.
The event delved into the recently published policy brief Strengthening national governance to accelerate food systems transformation, making the case and providing a set of recommendations for national-level-focused approaches towards more efficient change.
"It is more urgent than ever to address the key role of national governance in food systems transformation, where science must play a foundational role in guiding sound decision-making," stated Shenggen Fan, Dean at the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, and author of the brief. He also stressed the importance of national strategies and multisector coordination in allocating resources, protecting the Right to Food, and convening stakeholders.
Corinna Hawkes, Director at FAO Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, highlighted that governance requires distributed leadership, joint planning, and dealing with power dynamics to ensure all voices are heard.
Dao The Anh, Vice-President of the Vietnamese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, shared his country's approach of merged ministries and local task forces, empowering communities with science-based guidance. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson at the AKADEMIYA2063, illustrated the power of regional coordination and mutual accountability presented by Africa’s CAADP frameworks.
Trust emerged as essential for governance: “The skill of building trust is the most important for navigating conflicts and achieving systems change,” pointed out Hawkes. "Studies demonstrate that countries that managed COVID-19 best were dependent on two factors: trust in each other and trust in the Government," concluded the moderator Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security Impact Area Platform, CGIAR, and Chair of the Hub's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).
Webinar: Strengthening national governance to accelerate food systems transformation
The webinar presented key insights and recommendations from the namesake policy brief, encouraging dialogue on how national governance can be reimagined to deliver inclusive, rights-based, and systemic food systems policies. Participants engaged in discussions on cross-sectoral policy integration, institutional strengthening, local government empowerment, rights-based approaches, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable financing. The event also showcased experiences from countries innovating in governance, including Vietnam, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Bangladesh.