FAO.org

Parliamentarians from around 50 countries and nine parliamentary networks gathered in the context of the Virtual Parliamentary Dialogues on Food Security and Nutrition in the time of COVID-19. From March to September 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), pledged to put food security and nutrition at the forefront of national, regional, and global agendas and to take proactive steps to address the consequences of the pandemic. In their legislative, budgetary, and oversight responsibilities, parliaments are strategically positioned to strengthen food security, nutrition, and inclusion initiatives to combat COVID-19. Therefore, they must get involved in these unprecedented times.

During one of the most challenging periods in our generation, parliamentarians and parliamentary networks came together virtually during a series of dialogues. Despite their differences, they built political will to address the impact of the pandemic on agri-food systems and protect the most vulnerable in our society. Additionally, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue these efforts after COVID. Thus, it will be possible to consolidate their work and further advance the achievement of the SDGs and leave no one behind by highlighting the relevance of bringing these experiences for further discussion at a Second Global Parliamentary Summit.