Jointly organized by the Ministry of Social Development of Brazil, the National Council on Food and Nutrition Security of Brazil (CONSEA), the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, this side event addressed the role that national food security and nutrition governance plays in promoting the human right to adequate food. The discussion aimed at raising awareness, sharing experiences and discussing both the challenges involved in the development of national governance systems that help improve accountability and participation and their impacts on food security and nutrition.

After a welcoming address delivered by Juan Carlos García y Cebolla, Right to Food Team Leader, FAO, a keynote speech was conveyed by Hilal Elver, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, followed by an interesting panel discussion which saw the participation of:

• Caio Rocha, National Secretary for Food and Nutritional Security of Brazil;
• Elisabetta Recine, President of the National Council on Food and Nutrition Security of Brazil;
• Dr. Susanne Schlaack, Head of Division, German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture;
• Frank Mischler, Project Coordinator, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ);
• Naseegh Jaffer, Secretary General, World Forum of Fisher Peoples.