At its 39th Session in October 2012, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) agreed to have a 10 Year Retrospective on the progress made in implementing the “Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security” in 2014. The 41st session of the CFS just concluded last week. It provided an opportunity for CFS stakeholders to look back at the past decade, some of the progresses made as well as some of the obstacles faced in implementing the Right to Food Guidelines, in order to move towards the realization of the right to adequate food for all. On Tuesday 14 October, the afternoon Plenary Sessions entitled National Case studies and lessons learned: Right to Food (Va), and Right to Food Ten Year Perspective (Vb), were specifically dedicated to this. 

During the first session, three countries – El Salvador, India and Jordan – shared their national experiences in the implementation of the Right to Food Guidelines. Their experiences helped spur discussions among CFS stakeholders on possible ways to address some of the main issues raised and to overcome some of the existing gaps in the implementation of the Right to Food Guidelines in different national contexts. 

More information on these discussions can be found on page 13 of the Final report of CFS 41.

The second session saw countries highlighting the value of the Right to Food Guidelines over the past decade while stressing the important role they need to have in the years to come for the realization of the right to adequate food of all. After intense discussions among CFS stakeholders, Member countries have adopted by consensus a decision text entitled “Right to Food – Ten Year Perspective” which reaffirms their commitment to implement the Right to Food Guidelines and strive for the realization of the right to adequate food in the years to come. In addition, such text stresses some other very important elements such as the promotion of policy coherence in line with the Right to Food Guidelines; the importance of respecting, protecting, promoting and facilitating human rights throughout processes related to food security and nutrition; the need for strengthened decision-making mechanisms; the emphasis to be placed on the most vulnerable people and groups as well as women; and the crucial role of non-government stakeholders. 

The official text of the Decision Box can be found on page 14 of the Final report of CFS 41.