In a world that produces enough food to feed its entire population, more than 1.5 billion people cannot afford a diet that meets the required levels of essential nutrients while over 3 billion people cannot afford the cheapest healthy diet. People without access to healthy diets live in all regions of the world. Meanwhile, half of the global adult population is now overweight, contributing to the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases and related healthcare costs. At the same time, our food systems are a major cause of biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of a large number of natural resources.
These impacts are mostly being felt by groups already made vulnerable by the ongoing agriculture and food transformation, particularly smallholder family farmers, rural workers, indigenous people, migrants, and underemployed/unemployed women and men. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, some 1.6 billion already vulnerable workers in the informal economy – half of the global workforce – may be significantly affected.
This seminar will raise awareness and discuss the importance of inclusive territorial approaches to promote sustainable food systems and healthy diets in the context of the European preparation for the upcoming United Nations Food Systems Summit and the ongoing decentralization process in Africa.
Speakers
Leonard Mizzi
Head of Unit for Sustainable agri-food systems and Fisheries, EU Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)
Benjamin Davis
Director for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equity, FAO
Francesco Rampa
Special Expert for Sustainable Development and Food Systems for the Italian G-20 Presidency for Food Systems and Member of Sustainable Food Systems Programme of the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
Representative from the African Union
Moderation
Isabel Carvalhais
Member of the European Parliament and the European Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition
Welcoming remarks
Rodrigo de Lapuerta
Director, Liaison Office with the European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium, FAO
Bruno Dimas
Deputy Director-General for Planning, Policies and General Administration, Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture
You can register here.
Sourc:e ECDPM