Food systems thinking has become central to FAO’s work. As such, there is a need for a clear, common framework to guide projects and policy recommendations, and to provide greater internal consistency to our work. To this end, the Sustainable Food Value Chain team in ESA, under SP4 leadership, has developed a sustainable food systems (SFS) training programme. The aim of the programme is to facilitate a holistic understanding of the various food systems components, their dynamics, interactions and feedback loops. Moreover, the programme also seeks to provide participants with the tools to operationalize the food systems approach through sustainable food value chains development.

The first HQ-based training took place on 24-27 July with the participation of 40 colleagues from various technical divisions that provided useful feedback and inputs. These are being integrated in the preparation for four regional/sub-regional trainings that will equip staff from FAO decentralized offices with innovative and multidisciplinary ways of addressing food-related challenges. The first regional training, organized in collaboration with FAO Nutrition Division and FAO Social Protection Division, took place in Bangkok on 21-25 August.