Explore Official Dialogue Feedback

Member State Dialogues: 490 Intergovernmental Dialogues: 6 Independent Dialogues: 681 Global Summit Dialogues: 10

This page allows anyone to explore responses from Dialogue Convenors to section 4 of the Food Systems Summit Dialogues Official Feedback Form. Section 4 is organised into 4 sub-sections that allow Convenors to detail the “Major Focus” of their Dialogue as well as the outcomes including the “Main findings”, “Outcomes for each Discussion Topic” and “Areas of Divergence”. Anyone can use this information to develop their own synthesis of Dialogue Feedback. For this reason, results can also be filtered by Action Track or keyword. Syntheses of Official Feedback must respect the Food Systems Summit Principles of Engagement and used in the context of the Dialogue that took place.

For researchers and advanced synthesis, an XML export is available here (last updated ).

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Inter-regional Dialogue of South-South Cooperation — INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Best practices for building Sustainable Food Systems in the OIC region”

Geographical focus: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte D'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia (Republic of The), Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen

Discussion topic outcome

 The ongoing global financial and pandemic crises, along with climate change and other problems that the international community is facing today are having an adverse impact on the progress of ensuring food security across member countries and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, it is crucial to find the right and optimal level of engagement between government and other stakeholders for ensuring all food security pillars: availability, access, utilization and stability.  All presentations of this Session demonstrated the consistency with the principles of engagement in th... Read moree process of United Nations Food Systems Dialogues, particularly, the participation of wide variety of stakeholders at these dialogues, such as private sector, academia, research entities, local authorities, business enterprises, schools, universities, international partners and many other actors. The principles of engagement improve the communication among these stakeholders and increases the responsibility for each of them in contributing to better food systems. Therefore, the attraction of all stakeholders is essential to review the existing systems and generate ideas for re-building resilient food systems.  Major disruptions of food supply chains due to lockdowns and restrictions triggered by COVID-19 effects necessitate from governments in ensuring food that is sufficient in quantities, adequate in quality and supplied through food supply chains from domestic markets, food imports or food reserves. It is also important to improve food security through efficient local production and reduced losses and wastes, particularly post-harvest losses that affect mainly smallholder farmers. Reducing losses would result in greater food availability and accessibility for entire communities.  Agricultural development is the basis for food security in a country. In other words, agricultural development is critically important for improving food security and nutrition, that include: increasing the quantity and diversity of food; driving economic transformation; and providing the primary source of income for many vulnerable groups. For them, agriculture is their main source of income and employment. Therefore, agricultural development shall be integral part of strategies on food security. Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Inter-regional Dialogue of South-South Cooperation — INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Best practices for building Sustainable Food Systems in the OIC region”

Major focus

Considering the importance of enhancing the national and regional capacities of building resilient food systems to address the food insecurity challenges, the Conference focused on the following themes that elaborated within the dedicated Sessions: - Governance of Food Security (developing the coherent policy and legal frameworks; ensuring the coordinated intra- and inter-governmental actions; monitoring and evaluation mechanisms); - National Food System Dialogues (experience of member states of arranging National Dialogues, discussion of their organizational process, including the involvement... Read more of wide variety of stakeholders, as well as recommendations to build pathways and provide solutions for sustainable food systems); - Management of Food Supply Chains (maintenance of stable food supply chains and food imports; manufacturing, retail and logistics; technology trends in food supply chains, including digitalization of distribution and procurement systems); - Promotion of Agricultural Development (government support to small farmers and farmer livelihoods, enhancing food processing, use of smart technology in agriculture). Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Inter-regional Dialogue of South-South Cooperation — INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Best practices for building Sustainable Food Systems in the OIC region”

Main findings

On Governance of Food Security:  The development of comprehensive frameworks with clear vision and objectives that entails the political commitment from the highest levels of leadership to the dimension of policies, strategies and action plans that set out roles and responsibilities of various actors for implementation and achievement of goals. It is important that these frameworks are formulated with the involvement of all stakeholders and incorporate the international norms, as well as target the various segments of food security domain.  Therefore, short and long-term strategic planni... Read moreng of these frameworks is vital for ensuring the food security in a country, as shown in the examples of UAE (National Food Security Strategy 2051 in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan); Bangladesh (National Food and Nutrition Security Policy with 8 Five Year Plans and Vision 2041); Ireland (Agri-Food Strategy 2030);  It is crucial to have the coherence between frameworks and strategies, as well as the broad approach of coordination among intra- and inter-agencies at national and local levels with the involvement of multiple actors from government, private sector, academia, research organization, smallholder farmers and civil society. Legal frameworks shall be consistent with resources, capacity and timeframe. Principally, the establishment of a coordinating body at the highest government level is essential to arrange the processes of planning, implementation and monitoring and activities of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. As it is shown in the examples of UAE (Emirates Council for Food Security launched in response to COVID-19, and membership consists wide range of actors); Bangladesh (Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, that also comprises from the highest level of officials); Ireland (Strategy Committee; Chaired by business-trusted person, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and consists various actors, such as researchers, industries, businesses, retailers, farmers, banking, environmental NGOs, young farmers and others).  The Strategies themselves are “live” documents containing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound) goals, with clear steps toward strong food systems, and cover all aspects of food systems encompassing environmental, social and economic sustainability.  The government shall play the main role in ensuring the availability and accessibility of food to its population. As shown in the presentation of FAO, many governments take the commitment to ensure the right to adequate food in their countries. That commitment entails aspects of policy, legal, institutional, budgetary measures and monitoring/accountability. It also assigns responsibilities across sectors and institutions/coordination, direction to other legislation/coherence. On Management of Food Supply Chains:  As shown in all the presentations of this session, great emphasis is paid to strengthening food supply and value chains. Digitalization of food supply is essential to improve agricultural and food systems. It includes e-commerce, digital technologies to connect producers/farmers and traders, processors, buyers/consumers. Innovations are also significant in all processes, including food procurement, food supply chains and control systems.  Logistics infrastructure and storing facilities shall be enhanced to ensure the resilience at households, enable vulnerable farmers to be able to realize their activities, and reduce losses that would result in greater availability and accessibility for entire communities.  As shown in the practice applied in Russia, the development of a network of wholesale distribution centers (WDC) if the state federal task that can bring solutions for interregional trade, stimulation of agricultural production and the formation of related infrastructure at the local levels (warehouses, storage facilities, dryers, local processing facilities). Because many agricultural producers and especially smallholder farmers face problems of distribution, lack of coordination with retailers, buyers, storage of food at local levels, ensure its quality and freshness. On Promotion of Agricultural Development  Governments are not able to reform food systems without collaboration with businesses and agricultural producers that operate within the food system. Therefore, many presentations of the Session demonstrated how governments can promote the agriculture and support local farmers with the long-term goal of achieving food security and sovereignty, and reduce the dependency to external shocks.  As it was shown in the example of Turkey, the government play significant role in supporting to small and medium agricultural enterprises, young farmers and smallholders by putting the priority for R&D investment programs and organic agriculture. Overall, this state support improves access to financing for smallholders, cooperatives and small businesses, as well as helps rural areas to sustain their agricultural activities.  The universities and research organizations are also instrumental in promotion of agriculture and advance of food systems. The presentation of Kazakh National Agrarian Research University showed the Kazakhstan’s model of extension knowledge dissemination system, where the university provide online and in-person consulting and capacity-building training services with covering tens of thousands of farmers and enterprises at national, local and district levels. Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

The OFSD “Food Systems for Health and Wellbeing" acknowledged that: - While non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are of global concern, it is at crisis point for many OACPS Small Island Developing States (SIDS). o Seven of Fifteen countries of the Pacific-OACPS have high rates of diabetes and rank in the top ten in the world. Unfortunately, COVID19 has further compounded these metrics. o The single common factor is unhealthy diets, where there is co-existence of under-nutrition and over-nutrition in the same individuals, in the same family and in the same communities – and where too much of th... Read moree wrong foods is being eaten. o Notwithstanding the Pacific region is renowned for using traditional knowledge and traditional science processes; increased investment in building resilience through strengthened, tailored science and traditional knowledge approaches should be encouraged. - A lack of coordination at global and regional levels, and a lack of ownership and commitment at national levels hinder efforts to address the high levels of malnutrition in the members and regions of the OACPS. The following bold actions are identified for food systems transformation, for better health and wellbeing of peoples in the OACPS:  Promoting traditional local diets and preventing the nutritional transition to western unhealthy, unbalanced and unsuitable diets;  Raising awareness about the impacts of trade on diets, health and wellbeing of citizens of OACPS SIDS.  Targeting fiscal policies for healthy and sustainable diets, which are needed to transform food systems and halt the consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks. This could include (i) Placing taxes on foods and beverages that are high in fats, salt and/or sugars. (ii) Providing incentives to encourage healthy options and alternatives by making them more affordable to consumers. (iii) Nutrition labeling providing easy to interpret and understand nutrition information on packaged foods is critical to influencing consumer behaviour and market choice of unhealthy diets.  Food fortification and food product reformulation: Increasing the nutrient value of foods by fortifying them with vitamins and minerals, and reduction of unhealthy sugars, fats, and salts.  Regulation of marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages focusing on advertising and,or targeted campaigns that negatively influence or limit choices among children and,or mothers.  Stockpiling of adequate strategic foods to mitigate against the many crises facing the members and regions of the OACPS (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and disasters from extreme weather and climate events, as well as geohazards such as volcanic eruptions) that impact food production systems.  Investment in food safety infrastructure and legislation to facilitate access of locally produced foods to markets. A combination of improved food governance, education programmes and incentives can help transition to sustainable and healthy diets. It is important that global players do not only push science-based solutions but also recognise and use local and traditional science and knowledge as part of the decision-making systems for production, consumption and resilience building in and across the member countries and regions of the OACPS. Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 2

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Governance, Innovation

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

The third interactive session of the OFSD which addressed "Resilience for the Future" heard that: - The impact of disasters disproportionately affects the most vulnerable and the poorest countries, including SIDS who suffer greatly from the impacts of extreme climate, weather and natural hazard risk events due to their unique geographical location. - SIDS challenges of smallness and geographic isolation and dispersion can make food production prohibitive. To mitigate these factors regional approaches are necessary and should be encouraged. - OACPS SIDS are highly dependent on specific economic... Read more sectors (such as tourism and fisheries) and are therefore more vulnerable to economic and exogenous shocks. - The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the importance of interconnectivity and integration and the links between natural, biological and human hazards. - Risks are systemic and complex, and therefore require holistic integrated solutions, with better links to all key sectors, regulation, planning, enforcement and good practice. - National and local disaster risk reduction strategies should be well articulated with mutually reinforcing sustainable development plans and climate change adaptation plans. - Industrious coalitions need to be built between member states and groups with geographical similarities - further they would need to identify and prioritise their shared challenges and develop a resilience roadmap that they could collectively pursue. The following bold actions are identified pathways for building resilient food systems in and across the OACPS, for the future:  Increasing the adoption of holistic and climate-friendly production and consumption practices that also limit biodiversity loss, whether in aquatic systems, land, and forests.  Mainstreaming sustainable use and adaptive management of natural resources by ensuring access rights to fisheries and land, and recognizing the value of traditional practices and knowledge systems.  Adopting interdisciplinary approaches to respond to the factors that contribute to the fragility of agri-food systems in OACPS, including but not limited to climate change and variability, epidemics, emerging and re-emerging diseases.  Increasing investments in productivity-enhancing innovations to harness science solutions for the sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth of food systems.  Fostering global partnerships to develop more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that consider the needs of smallholder farmers and encourage youth to embrace opportunities in being active partners in food systems transformation.  Strengthening agricultural/fisheries/aquaculture value chains and de-risking of the food systems investments in the OACPS from climate risks, and other related hazards.  Reimagining the market-led solutions to green and blue food systems and the corporate takeover of the food systems as potential, systemic risks to the resilience of OACPS’ food systems. Policy decision-making and the food systems governance space should recognise and include the voices of the civil society, women and youth. Empowering local communities to produce traditional and local foods that are climate-friendly and developing technologies for value addition should be a key priority for members and regions of the OACPS Read less

Action Track(s): 5

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Governance, Policy

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Area of divergence

There were no particular areas of divergence among stakeholders.

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Major focus

The dialogue focused on examining the links between three of the five UNFSS Action Tracks, with resilience and building resilient food systems as the strong connector and imperative for the Dialogue. The OFSD sought to explore ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all and shifting to sustainable consumption patterns, while building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress, with a particular focus on the assessment of challenges and solutions for food systems transformation for the 79 members and six regions of the OACPS

Action Track(s): 1, 2, 5

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Governance, Policy, Trade-offs

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Main findings

Absolute, unequivocal confirmation that the promotion and realisation of sustainable food systems is strongly linked to the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Solid, concrete multi-stakeholder investments and commitments by members, regions, and key partners of the OACPS to achieve food systems transformations is needed and critical to delivering the manifold results, outcomes and impacts

Action Track(s): 1, 2, 5

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Policy, Trade-offs

Intergovernmental Dialogue

OACPS FOOD SYSTEMS HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE : Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

The OFSD “Sustainable production and value chains of blue and green food" discussion realised we need to: - Achieve blue food systems transformation as much as green foods systems transformation if we are to feed the growing OACPS population with nutritious food, for livelihoods, health, and wellbeing. - Deal with increased pressure on our fisheries (in our ocean, lakes and rivers) and particularly as the OACPS-Africa population grows fast, and mindful that fish is important for protein and micronutrients for many OACPS peoples. - Invest in science and innovation, for governance and sustaina... Read moreble management of ocean resources as we face climate change and other exogenous shocks such as the ongoing COVID19 pandemic is needed. - Embrace opportunities that include agriculture, coastal fisheries and aquaculture in nature and ecosystem-based approaches to support local economies is acknowledged and is important. - Include local communities in sea and land innovations and production with all implementation occurring as co-development with communities and users where appropriate and necessary. - Ensure all OACPS workers have access to capacity-building support opportunities that positively respond to real-time data, innovation and technology, and human capital needs and skills required. - Scale-up efforts to conserve biodiversity to address food security needs. - Recognise laudable efforts such as that of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) to maintain genetic diversity of disbursing plant seeds and tissues across the region during the COVID19 pandemic as well as part of response and recovery efforts to disaster risk events – and seek to replicate these as and where appropriate. - Consider sustainable management practices, such as agroecology, regenerative farming and community-based fisheries management as critical to both catalysing and augmenting food systems transformation. And note there are opportunities to further integrate agriculture, coastal fisheries, aquaculture, and water resources management through circular, nature and ecosystem-based approaches to support blue-green economies, at all levels. - Promote coordinated national-level planning to ensure food systems transformation is a critical part of the national sustainable development agenda will involve and require whole of government, whole of country (all stakeholders) and whole of community approaches. - Provide a strong enabling environment for food systems transformation (institutions and instruments) will be key for effective implementation. - Phase-out and/or reorient harmful subsidies that impact the sustainability of the food systems will need to be implemented as soon as practicable. - Explore the utility of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the transition to more inclusive and sustainable food systems will need to be explored, realised, and made accessible to all. Read less

Action Track(s): 1

Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Governance, Innovation, Women & Youth Empowerment

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

4. Sustainable use of renewable natural resources; natural resources; interlinkages food-water-forest-oceans-energy – Nordic view • Our renewable natural resources are in a relatevely good shape: imports should be substitutes by local production when possible • planetary boundaries: we must not outsource our environmental impact • innovations are needed, systemic change is necessary • more information is needed on changes of consumption patterns • blue production sector; great potential – good governance a prerequisite • Nordics have a relative advantage in ruminants/natural co... Read morenditions Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

5. Food systems and society; inclusiveness, equity, equality, fairness – Nordic way • we need changes in the food systems, from production to consumer behavior; every action counts • everyone should have access to healthy food • there will be painful choices to be made; citizens must be involved in the decision-making – participatory processes • Global justice; one should keep in mind that choices made in the North have global impact • there is a lot of competence and knowledge in the Nordics; how are we going to share this with the rest of the world • appreciation of each othe... Read morer’s work; awareness of farming Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

6. Tomorrows perspectives; new technologies, global markets – Nordic horizons • Challenges for the Nordic countries: dependency on imports and lack of labor • Food sector should be made more attractive for young people to work; How? • Innovations are needed; rigid legislation should not hinder new ideas • A gradual transformation; tradition with innovation • Mistakes should be allowed; innovation takes courage

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Area of divergence

No major point of divergence emerged. This was probably partly because the participants represented a rather established set of discussants; persons having already the experience of a national FSS dialogue and also other engagement in dialogue between the Nordic countries. Furthermore, the topics given to the working groups were knowingly chosen to be of strong interest in the Nordic societies. The purpose was to discuss topics where the Nordic countries could have experience and best practices to offer for the benefit of other countries.

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

1. Avoiding waste and loss, recycling – Nordic solutions • Scientific and data based voluntary initiatives in partnership through the entire value chain • we must build on incentives and win-win solutions, good public and private procurement practices and supporting legislation • change of consumption patterns through education and improved awareness • Minimize food waste along the entire food chain, including smaller portions, smaller plates. • new circular production methods and better use of side streams • telling the story of food: awareness leads to appreciation • legislat... Read moreion for novel foods: longer shelf life • overweight is food waste Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

2. Sustainable consumption, nutrition and health – Nordic Dietary recommendations • The strengths of the Nordic countries are the nutrition recommendations, school meal systems, awareness of and aspiration for healthy and sustainable diet • Nordic countries have a similar approach to the term "prudent use" of veterinary medicinal products, and the fact that there are not economic incentives for veterinarians to prescribe medicinal products. • We focus too much on increasing production. Instead we should look how we produce and how to minimize food loss and waste • Surveillance is imp... Read moreortant, but not enough. We need to transfer experience into "practical change" and make sector specific action plans. • Private enterprise can be drivers to sustainable development. Marked players need to be further included in the strong Nordic "interaction model". • Inform and educate about the benefits of the "Nordic model" of strong collaboration between authorities/academia/private sector. • Translate the strong collaboration into the education systems, including the areas of medical, veterinary and environmental studies but also early education of children – the future consumers. • Nordic countries are strongly engaged in developing aid, and this could be an area of stronger Nordic collaboration. • “be bold” – politicians should dare to speak for the change. We in the richer and educated part of the world should afford the transformation, if anyone. • municipalities to work for the local food Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Discussion topic outcome

3. Safe food for all; AMR, One health – Nordic experience • Th Nordic countries have monitored the AMR more than 20 years, longer than anywhere else • work on global level is a challenge; exchange of information and experience takes some effort but is as important as the work on national level: How can we improve our collaboration with the developing countries? • continuity of the work is important; we should not be awake only when there is a pandemic of a war going on • consumers are a strong drivers for change – we should mobilize them • cooperation between competitors is neces... Read moresary • education on use of medicals Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Major focus

For the entire dialogue, and specifically for the working groups, the following tasks were given: The aim is to identify action, new avenues of innovation, structural reforms that will lead the Nordic counties towards sustainable food systems and, furthermore, what are the solutions we can offer for the global food systems and for the to take a look on the food systems of the 2030’s: strengths and challenges of today; skills and advantages that help to reach the targets; trade-offs and win-win opportunities; actions needed to compensate those who lose; values and assets that cannot be displa... Read moreced; regulatory action and guidance needed; needs for administrative reform; opportunities for international action, partnership and cooperation. And finally: concrete partner countries. Ideally, readily planned packages of action, identifying actors, describing processes, sketching financial needs. a) what are the characteristics of the Nordic food systems on which a reform can be built: strengths, opportunities, challenges. - The outcome of the session is expected to list strengths of the Nordic countries, on which we can build our food systems sustainable; points where we have to reform our systems and where it is likely to be painful choices to be made; furthermore: how could/should the Nordics contribute to the global food systems reform: our expertise, our experience, our resources. The list does not need to be complete; fresh ideas, feasible solutions are best for this purpose. The Webinar was chaired by Dr Sebastian Hielm, Director of Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland. The program, speakers list, background documents, briefing documents were put together by Mr Jyri Ollila, the Convenor of the National Dialogue, Finland. Mr Jari Leppä, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland opened the webinar dialogue. Mr Leppä highlighted the good ground for such dialogue: there is a long tradition of dialogue, concertation and collaboration amongst the stakeholders and the wider civil society in general and especially in the field of food and agriculture. The five Nordic countries have a lot in common when it comes to food, and this makes cooperation between the five countries very natural. The Nordic Nutrition recommendations are an excellent example of that tradition of working together. Ms Katja Svensson, Senior Adviser at the Nordic Council of Ministers reflected the work program of the Council of Ministers in relation with sustainable development and food systems. The strategic Vision 2030 of the Council aims at becoming “the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.” The three elements in the Vision are 1) green, 2) competitive and 3) socially sustainable Nordic region, and they are divided into 12 measurable objectives. Food, consumption, recycling, biodiversity, sustainable land use and other food system related themes are included in the sub-objectives. The central theme of the sectoral agri-food-fish-forests work program is sustainable food systems. Dr Amanda Wood, researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre referred to the recent publications “Nordic Food Systems for improved health and sustainability” and “Eight ways to change Nordic food and livestyles” and “Cookbook for Systems Change” of the Centre. The Nordics are doing rather well in regard to several SDGs – ranked amongst the top places of a global SDG comparison - but lagging behind in SDGs 2, 12,13,14 and 15. The environmental impacts, especially related to extinction of species, N and P nutrient use are significant. Consumption of processed meat is a health concern. The outsourced environmental and climate impact is considerable, especially in water use, GHGs and cropland use. Overconsumption is a serious health issue: 47% on Nordic adults are overweight or obese, and so is one in seven children. Efforts against food loss and waste must be strengthened, even though the Nordics are doing well in overall circular economy. Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Food systems from a Nordic perspective – Towards the UN Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: Finland

Main findings

The five Nordic countries have organized dialogue events during the spring. Many of them have followed the Action Track logic. In order not to repeat these discussions, a different set of topics, topics that were known to be close to people's minds in the Nordic societies, was chosen. For each of the parallel working group, a top expert on the given topic was chosen to moderate the dialogue, one from each of the five countries, with the exception of Finland having two groups to moderate. The six working groups had the following titles: 1. Avoiding waste and loss, recycling – Nordic solutions... Read more (moderator: Troels Mandel Vensild, Denmark) 2. Sustainable consumption, nutrition and health – Nordic Dietary recommendations (Annica Sohlström, Sweden) 3. Safe food for all; AMR, One health – Nordic experience (Cathrine Steinland, Norway) 4. Sustainable use of renewable natural resources; natural resources; interlinkages food-water-forest-oceans-energy – Nordic view (Arni Mathiesen, Iceland) 5. Food systems and society; inclusiveness, equity, equality, fairness – Nordic way (Kaisa Karttunen, Finland) 6. Tomorrows perspectives; new technologies, global markets – Nordic horizons (Elina Lehikoinen, Finland) The main findings of the dialogue are listed in the working group reports below. Dr Jaana Husu-Kallio, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland, made the following points in her closing remarks: • It is of great value to have existing structures of dialogue among the Nordic countries; together we can make a difference – we speak the same food language • Our duty is to enhance global solutions, not only solutions for ourselves • the SDGs are not met without reforming food systems • the Nordic Council of Ministers has been early in taking food systems reform on the agenda, also the present program of work is a major effort for the reform • dialogue is just a starting point; it must lead to action • collaboration between all actors is imperative The outcome of the dialogue was reported the following day to the meeting of the five Nordic counties' ministers of agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry. Ministers discussed food systems and gave a common statement on the issue. The statement is attached to this feedback report. Read less

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Sistemas Alimentarios Sostenibles: una visión regional

Geographical focus: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

Main findings

SISTEMAS LOCALES ROBUSTOS, SOSTENIBLES Y RESILIENTES Antes de pensar en un sistema nacional o regional debe pensarse en el fortalecimiento y robustecimiento de un sistema alimentario en los ámbitos locales, trabajando con los gobiernos a ese nivel para construir gobernanza. Se requiere el fortalecimiento de las habilidades locales para después articularlo en un sistema nacional y regional. Se indicó que algunos países piensan en exportar cuando la producción aún es limitada. Se debe buscar aumentar la producción en la región para reducir la dependencia, garantizar el alimento a la pobl... Read moreación y no depender de la producción externa. Los productores requieren asistencia técnica para sus procesos productivos, para avanzar a sistemas sostenibles, más amigables al medio ambiente y con un mejor uso de los recursos. Avanzar hacia una agroecología empezando con intercambio de conocimientos y retomando las buenas prácticas de otros países para hacer una sinergia regional. ETIQUETADO, EDUCACIÓN E INTERCAMBIO EXPERIENCIAS Regulación del etiquetado frontal de propiedades nutricionales de alimentos (Etiquetado frontal de advertencia nutricional, EFAN) con información de cantidad de azúcar, grasas y sodio que han puesto en mayor vulnerabilidad a la población frente a la pandemia del COVID-19. CERRAR BRECHAS ENTRE PRODUCTORES Y CONSUMIDORES Se reconoce al consumidor como el primer agente de cambio por ello se habló de un enfoque del tenedor a la granja, es decir, que la oferta de las empresas responda a la demanda informada del consumidor. Es importante educar e informar a los consumidores para cambiar los patrones alimentarios hacia preferencias por alimentos más sostenibles; sensibilizar a los consumidores con un lenguaje común para pasar de un concepto técnico o teórico a una herramienta eficaz como una canasta básica alimentaria comprensible y accesible para todos. La brecha existente entre productores y consumidores condiciona la elección de los alimentos menos nutritivos y sustentables. Es importante promover mecanismos exitosos sobre almacenamiento y distribución de alimentos que tienen impacto en los precios y la cantidad en que estos llegan al comercio local. Es importante incidir para que los alimentos nutritivos lleguen a los consumidores con precios accesibles. Promover el encadenamiento de los pequeños productores con las pequeñas y medianas empresas de procesamiento de alimentos y otros comerciantes, así como promover la comercialización directa entre productores y consumidores para compras locales. Eliminar la merma y el desperdicio de alimentos en todas las partes del sistema alimentario, no solo en la producción y el consumo final. RECONOCER LAS SOLUCIONES QUE RESIDEN EN LA BASE CULTURAL NATIVA DE LAS COMUNIDADES (INDÍGENA, AFRODESCENDIENTE). En el saber ancestral y la base cultural de las comunidades hay soluciones para muchos de los problemas que están enfrentando actualmente nuestros sistemas alimentarios, como la desnutrición y el sobrepeso. La utilización de plantas endémicas mediante, por ejemplo, el rescate de la cocina tradicional, es una de las vías que se pueden explorar. Organizaciones representantes de la sociedad civil, como la Fundación Costarricense de Gastronomía (FUCOGA), participantes del Movimiento SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition), y entidades académicas como la Universidad Central de Costa Rica, que actualmente realiza un trabajo comunal alrededor de la tradición alimentaria, están dispuestas a servir de enlace en el proceso de encadenamiento interinstitucional en torno a esta vía de acción. Incorporación de prácticas sostenibles como la transición hacia lo orgánico y la producción de cultivos subutilizados. Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 5

Intergovernmental Dialogue

Sistemas Alimentarios Sostenibles: una visión regional

Geographical focus: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

Discussion topic outcome

Comercio Intrarregional. Los países centroamericanos y República Dominicana son altamente interdependientes. Para garantizar el acceso a alimentos, sobre todo en tiempos de crisis, es fundamental mantener abierto el tránsito de alimentos por las fronteras intrarregionales. No obstante que existen esfuerzos importantes para promover el comercio electrónico, se requiere> •Crear políticas públicas que incentiven las prácticas amigables con el ambiente y favorezcan la comercialización en mercados cercanos al consumidor. •Potenciar el aprovechamiento de la Unión Aduanera y el comerc... Read moreio intrarregional, cuyos beneficios potenciales no se conocen a nivel de los territorios. •Fortalecer capacidades empresariales y organizativas de los grupos de productores y grupos de mujeres, para salir a los mercados locales y regionales de forma competitiva. •Seguir facilitando la integración intrarregional del comercio, reconociendo que gran parte son alimentos. Eso incluye protocolos y normativas armonizadas para la producción, transporte, comercialización y etiquetado de alimentos. •Planificación regional de las necesidades productivas. Conectar las necesidades de consumo con la producción. Gobernanza regional. Los sistemas alimentarios son complejos y multidimensionales, con la participación de los más diversos sectores como producción básica, hasta los transformadores, comercializadores y consumidores, transporte, industria alimentaria, sector de servicios, turismo, etc. Los SA reflejan aspectos culturales de los pueblos. La institucionalidad regional debe dar un valor agregado que trascienda lo local y nacional para el funcionamiento adecuado de los SA. Se debe lograr una agenda compartida por parte de instancias de integración o cooperación con prioridades para el fortalecimiento de SA sostenibles y saludables, así como el fomento de políticas pública regionales que incentiven el desarrollo rural, la agricultura familiar, el comercio regional para mejorar la disponibilidad y acceso de alimentos inocuos y nutritivos, así como el máximo aprovechamiento de los recursos disponibles Debe promoverse una mirada integral del sistema alimentario regional que aborde de manera prioritaria temas tales como la atención prioritaria de grupos vulnerables, cambio climático, afectaciones de la región por situaciones sociales y educación alimentaria y nutricional como principal estrategia para el cambio alimentario, así como una revisión crítica de la conformación de la canasta básica alimentaria. Ciencia y tecnología •Contar con acceso a financiamiento para invertir en tecnología, investigación y en opciones de producción sostenible que reduzcan el impacto ambiental. •Impulsar la innovación y tecnología digital que permita intercambiar información climática y contar con un •sistema de alerta temprana dirigido a pequeños productores, incluyendo a grupos marginados y jóvenes. •Desarrollar programas de extensión rural con nuevas tecnologías •Promover el uso de tecnología limpia en los procesos de producción y transformación agrícola •Impulsar un programa de transferencia tecnológica que permita conocer y diseminar nuevas tecnologías para adaptación al cambio climático y producción de alimentos bio-fortificados, a las fincas de los pequeños productores, en términos de generar cadenas de valor con alimentos sanos e inocuos, •Impulsar buenas prácticas para la cosecha de agua, que resuelva las dificultades de disponibilidad de agua para la agricultura en época seca •Mejorar el acceso a internet en las áreas rurales. Participación y Ciudadanía Alimentaria Incentivar la activa participación ciudadana en coordinación con las entidades gubernamentales y otros actores para avanzar hacia sistemas alimentarios sostenibles en cada uno de nuestros países y en la región •Garantizar la participación de la sociedad civil en los procesos de construcción de acciones, para comprender mejor las necesidades y fortalecer las acciones que permitan suplir las identificadas. •Fomento del empoderamiento de las mujeres considerando su situación, su rol en la producción y fortalecimiento de sus economías familiares. Read less

Action Track(s): 1, 5

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Innovation, Women & Youth Empowerment

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