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The multistakeholder approach is one of the 3 key Dutch priorities for the UNFSS 2021. In general, participants agree multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) are key for SDG2 and the 2030 agenda. Only together stakeholders can address the challenges ahead. Despite the challenges they face, for instance, to level the playing field for each stakeholder to participate and contribute meaningfully, participants agree MSPs can be a good vehicle for the much-needed transitions of food systems, provided they respect a few crucial rules. In this regard, the following suggestions were made for replicating an... Read mored/or scaling up MSPs working on sustainable food systems: *Legitimacy and efficiency: Core to viable multi-stakeholder platforms are the interlinked notions of legitimacy and efficiency of the structure and the process. -Representation and inclusiveness: These are fundamental key pillars to build the trust necessary for legitimacy. Recommendations raised during the independent dialogue in this regard include (1) making sure from the beginning that all stakeholders affected by the given issue are included and equally represented in the MSP; (2) giving special attention to including minority groups and “unusual suspects” (such as street food vendors, women cooking in markets and other settings). -Political will: Additionally, participants indicated that a strong political will is crucial for effective MSPs, and can also help to convey legitimacy. -Ownership: Furthermore, legitimacy relies on the adequacy of the process to engage stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue in which they feel a sense of ownership and the possibility of gaining benefits. This requires transparency, continuous communication, openness, and respect. In this regard, participants highlighted the importance of (1) having an independent convenor; (2) establishing and respecting transparent processes and governance mechanisms in the MSP; (3) defining clear principles, and in particular, making sure human rights are respected, and (4) instead of having a pre-defined agenda and solutions, ownership requires focusing on country, local and community-owned challenges and solutions. A specific call was made during the keynotes for (funding) “donors and global players to “change their behavior to align to country priorities and respect country ownership”. *Effective collaboration: -Diversity: Fostering a working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and open communication also requires an understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Stakeholders bring to MSPs their own mandates, interests, competencies, and shortcomings. Unless these factors are openly acknowledged and processes are in place to facilitate stakeholder discussions and negotiations, effective collaboration will not be achieved. Recommendations in this regard included: (1) setting up continuous learning processes; (2) having a clear and uninterrupted communication strategy, including sharing and celebrating results; (3) building on each other’s differences, value those different skills, perspectives and make them work together; (4) recognizing each other’s expertise and strengths, and come together to find common ground; and (5) applying the principle of “sufficient consensus” rather than full agreement on every issue to proceed and move on. -Power relations: Multi-stakeholder platforms have been criticized for failing to address asymmetries and unequal power relations. In particular, the treatment of diverse stakeholders as equals is seen as problematic as it does not recognize the differences in authority, legitimacy, interests, and power of different stakeholders. In this regard, participants indicated the importance of addressing power relations through standards and internal mechanisms and processes for inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. -Effectiveness and accountability: Additionally, MSPs also raise questions related to the effectiveness and accountability of these kinds of mechanisms. In this sense, the dialogue identified as crucial recommendations: (1) defining clear responsibilities for each stakeholder involved; (2) having a clear shared agenda and goals (with time frame) based on a shared analysis; (3) having internal mechanisms in place to make partners accountable; (4) focus on concrete solutions; (5) monitor and evaluate impact; and (6) invest in (mutual) learning about multi-stakeholder approaches. -Time and resources: Finally, participants stressed that multi-stakeholder collaboration requires sufficient time and resources. Time to build trust, withstand internal and external changes, align different stakeholders, build their capacity, and organize processes where they can give input, feel connected and committed, and feel confident and empowered to engage in collaborative work. A specific plea was made to move from a siloed funding approach, which still prevails, so that MSPs can address health and planetary challenges together. Independent MSPs can be a space for constructive and productive deliberation. Participants concurred that multi-stakeholder dialogue in MSPs is useful to make everybody´s voices heard, change behaviors, and empower all actors. In other words, the outcomes of MSPs go beyond the concrete solutions adopted. Multi-stakeholder approaches can be real game-changers to advance food systems transformation. It’s important to note however that decisions taken within multi-stakeholder collaborations should be complementary to, and not substitute democratically accountable and rights-based decision making around food. Read less

There is a growing recognition that complex and multi-dimensional issues such as achieving sustainable food systems require innovative, cross-sectoral, and holistic approaches, pooling together the resources, knowledge, and perspectives of different stakeholders. Participants concur that collective stakeholder engagement is indispensable to bring about the policy changes and investments required to achieve sustainable food systems. The Netherlands is well-positioned to contribute to the preparations for the UN Food Systems Summit with innovative evidence-based proposals of “game-changing” ... Read moreinitiatives in the agri-food sector, based - amongst others - on its rich experiences with multi-stakeholder collaboration. The Dutch are engaged in many public and private partnerships in and with many different countries and stakeholders in the field of food and water management and climate mitigation. The so-called Dutch Diamond approach, in which government, business, civil society, and knowledge institutions work together is known for this. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is widely recognized as a key “game-changing solution” to achieve sustainable food systems, cutting across the 5 action tracks defined for the UN FSS 2021. This independent dialogue was convened by the Netherlands Food Partnership, Rabobank, Wageningen University and Research, the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW), Oxfam Novib, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It showcased examples, shared practical recommendations, and discussed opportunities for scaling up multi-stakeholder platforms that can be replicated and scaled up in different parts of the world, focusing on its achievements, challenges, solutions, and contribution to systemic change to reach SDG2. Specific roundtables were organized on Multi-stakeholder Platforms in the following domains: *Seeds systems *Food loss and waste *Digitalisation *Nutrition *Finance *Responsible business conduct *Natural resources management -Purpose: *Add value to the UN FSS 2021 preparatory processes, both in the Netherlands and internationally, based on the internationally recognised experience and expertise of Dutch and international partners with Multi-Stakeholder Platforms. *Recommend concrete elements on how to integrate working through multi-stakeholder platforms within the Areas of Collective Action proposed by the UN. -Outputs: They will be captured in a format to feed into (1) the Dutch national Food Systems Dialogue in June 2021 (The Netherlands/online), (2) the UN Pre-Summit in July 2021 (Rome/online), and (3) the UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 (NYC/online). Read less

During the discussion subject of “combining human health and planetary health", there were some areas of divergence on promotion of healthy diet and EAT diet on specific context that have not reached food security yet. The debate was constructive and all participants agreed on the need to contextualize the choices and having different balances among climate and nutrition considerations according to the contexts. There was also much focus on women empowerment as main generators of changes and sustainability. Another issue raised concerned the massive increase in the human population being the... Read more driver of un-sustainable food systems; a paper by UNDP coming out in few weeks should analyze the issue of demography and food systems more deeply and provide some additional and new evidence. Read less

Having both human and planetary health depends on and needs the following: : - Decision-making: prioritizing, cooperating, systems thinking - Evidence: generating it, sharing it, using it - Political will and action: being cautiously bold, learning from the past - Empowerment: of who, for who, and with balance - Negotiation: providing room to move and incentives - Data: to inform and predict future scenarios of decisions - Sharing the planet: global citizenry and sustainability

Most research on the impact of climate change on the nutrient content of crops has focused on staple crops; to date, very few studies have examined how climate change may influence changes in production and consumption of non-staple food groups. More research is needed on how different kinds of crops – particularly those that are nutrient-dense such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes – will fare in a +2 C degree world.

In order to impact the whole system it is important to start at both ends of the chain as well, such as engaging with consumers and change the conversation about local food and its social and ecological implications, pushing for local healthy diets and benefitting local farmers, chefs and entrepreneurs.

It was stressed the importance of participatory monitoring and evaluation of projects and activities, especially with young people.

Policy coherence and institutional coordination in the climate change and nutrition nexus shall be strengthened by integrating the nexus in existing national and regional multisectoral platforms. One example is provided by the National Executive Secretary of the National Nutrition Development Council of Government of Senegal. It was recognised that one big challenge is related to the fact that currently developed plans for the management for the incorporating climate change nutrition nexus do not exist or are very limited. Also, anther problem is that many programs originate from either nutrit... Read moreion structure/actors or climate ones and dialogue among them need to be facilitated. Read less

Participants agreed on the importance of adopting a horizontal approach, going beyond the sectoral one, for integrated food policies that are able to be implemented in line with the peculiarities of each context. Stakeholders should focus more on knowledge and capacity building to contextualise actions and find out appropriate solutions tailored to the specific context.

The dialogue recognized the nutritional benefits of climate resilient agriculture and the need for detailed analyses of the interplay between food security and climate change, and their impact on the most vulnerable groups, through a food systems lens. The discussion was focused on the trade offs between human and planetary health to show how transforming food systems is necessary in order to (i) meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, (ii) ensure that diets are no longer a major risk factor for disease and death, and (iii) avoid increasing zoonotic diseases spillover. Ensuring both human and p... Read morelanetary health will depend on several factors and possible solutions, including: - decision making based on systemic approaches and cooperation; - generation and use of evidence for decision making; - political will and action, combined with stronger accountability; in particular, systems of mutual accountability are needed to ensure that actors and institutions involved in food systems contribute fully to the common goal of achieving a sustainable diet for all; - empowerment - negotiation and provision of incentives - data to inform and predict future scenarios - greater consideration towards consumers' choices; for example, promoting healthy and local food by changing consumer behaviour is a crucial element, especially among young people, through creative and innovative ways to make traditional crops, neglected and underutilized species attractive through a formula that meets modern needs. To achieve a healthy and sustainable diet, it is important to contextualize national goals based on local conditions. At country level, designing and implementing climate and nutrition smart agricultural policies and investment plans also requires knowledge about micronutrient deficiencies and their geographic and age distribution. Getting policy makers to implement some of the solutions and advocating for innovative solutions, together with building good partnerships, were identified as key practices for successful stories. Among the main opportunities for positive change it emerged: the adoption of a gender equality approach, the importance of credit schemes, access to land, and continued collaboration through facilitated multi-stakeholder partnerships, a combination of cash transfers and improved home gardening, policies to promote gender transformation in value chain activities to ensure women participation and to increase their adaptive capacity to adequately respond to climate change challenges. For a transition towards more sustainable food systems, it is essential to adopt a horizontal approach, going beyond the sectoral one, for integrated food policies that are able to be implemented in line with the peculiarities of each context. Furthermore, it is important to ensure adequate participatory monitoring and evaluation of projects and activities, especially with young people. Read less

Climate change, food systems and food and nutrition security are strongly interlinked. The food we eat and how we produce it will determine the health of people and planet, according to the EAT Lancet Commission. Extreme weather and climate events have increased in frequency, intensity and severity. The World Meteorological organisation (WMO) indicated that the years 2015–2019 were the five warmest on record and that the 2010–2019 average temperature was the warmest on record. Since the 1980s, each successive decade has been warmer than any preceding one since 1850. There is increased evid... Read moreence that the effects of climate change have an impact on livelihood choices, work options and time spent on care and other nutrition-related activities, undermining current efforts to reduce hunger and promote nutrition. Evidence suggests that climate-related changes in diets may contribute to 500,000 additional deaths for malnutrition. Furthermore, the effects of climate change on nutrition vary based on wealth status and livelihood and contribute, therefore, to increased inequalities and vulnerability of marginalized groups. The 2020 Global Nutrition Report revealed that progress is too slow to meet global targets to end malnutrition in all its forms. We know that major changes must be made to increase access to affordable healthier diets for all people and planet. The thematic areas covered by the discussion include: 1) The body of evidence showing the interlinkages between climate and nutrition and the existing research gaps; 2) The potential solutions, that optimize synergies between climate change and nutrition and minimize trade-offs; 3) The policy and programmatic approaches adopted by governments and development partners to address present and future challenges. The objective of this dialogue was to enhance understanding and awareness on interlinkages between climate change and nutrition in agricultural investments, as well as their importance for sustainable food systems and solutions to address existing trade offs. Read less

1. Strengthen production fundamentals, such as research and innovation, to direct how we leverage our production resources, generate relevant technologies, guide threat surveillance, and inform policy design and accountability. 2. Institute industrial policies that promote private investment and job growth in local non-farm sectors, essential to attract investment in agri-food systems (the focus on agro- industrialization) 3. Scale up of technologies developed by universities to make them available for youth and use within the country. Foster Intellectual Property and patenting. 4. Invest stro... Read morengly in the education value chain, from universities to vocational colleges, to leveraging on secondary and primary education to upgrade the skill levels of young people entering the labour force. 6. Work collaboratively with African universities and other actors in and outside Africa to marshal the needed response to strengthen Africa’s food systems and for scaling out best practices. There is need to bridge the disconnect between academia and government and between technocrats and politicians who allocate resources to support food systems enhancement. 5. Foster global partnerships to develop more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that consider the needs of smallholder farmers and youth. 6. Strengthen commitment to Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development (CAADP) financing and implementation, Africa’s Agenda 2063, STISA 2024 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA). 7. Invest in preparedness (i.e., data science, foresight, and building response capacities) to manage emerging and future challenges with keen attention to the 4th Industrial Revolution 8. Establish startup/venture capital funds that will enable young graduates to adopt agriculture as a career for self-employment and to employ peers. 9. Appeal to the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) to: a. Support the efforts of Africa to invest in and transform its food systems and build the capacity needed to develop and implement a sustainable, inclusive food system. b. Recognize that co-developing, co-ownership, and joint implementation of UNFSS agreed game-changers for food systems transformation on the African continent must be inclusive, and provide equitable opportunities. 10. Endorse the international community support for the formation of an African Multi-stakeholder Capacity strengthening platform for sustainable, inclusive African food systems (Capacity Strengthening Platform for African Food Systems). 11. Facilitate improvement in the information flow from research to the government where it can be utilized to advance food systems and livelihoods. 12. Strengthen the link between university and government as a precursor for evidence-based decision making and to lobby government for resource allocation towards Food and Nutrition Security. Read less

The African Agriculture Sector/Context 1. Africa is home to nearly 1.4 billion people (about 17% of the world’s population). The vast majority of these people live in rural Africa, deriving their livelihoods from agriculture and related resources. With sixty percent of Africa’s population dependent on agriculture, a vibrant agricultural sector must be part of the solution for creating inclusive development on the continent. 2. Vibrant agri-food-systems and institutions engaged in production to consumption of food are key to delivery of the continent’s development agenda, Africa We Want, ... Read moreand the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Smallholder Farmer Focus 1. Africa produces its food from two main types of systems: smallholder-based, highly diversified production systems and “progressive” semi-to-extensive production systems that are increasingly owned and managed by urban elite. 2. The smallholder farmers that feed and employ the vast majority of people, with women accounting for up to 70% of the labour force. 3. The primacy of Africa’s smallholder agriculture to underpin sustainable and equitable food systems that support food and nutrition security for all, for the present generations and posterity, is unequivocal and must be integral in discussions on global food systems. 4. The weak linkages between African smallholder farmers and research/extension, as well as agricultural markets must be strengthened. 5. Due to low technological advancements (hand held hoe) and other factors, African agriculture is not attractive to most youth. Strengthening Human Capital Development (Skilling) 1. For Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, to realize its full agricultural potential to bolster its food systems, there is need for significant investments in key productivity-enhancing innovations to harness science solutions for growth. 2. Only a fraction of smallholder farmers has requisite entrepreneurial ability, productive assets and skills potential for value addition. Skilling such populations, and in general, improving the labour productivity is critical for African agriculture to play a greater role in meeting local to global food demand, in a competitive and cost-effective and competitive manner. 3. A more holistic human capital development is required to build the agricultural workforce, from production, to research and innovations, as well as entrepreneurship. African universities are pivotal in designing and implementing human capital development programmes. 4. Universities themselves have to change how they do business and respond to emerging needs and advance processes and mechanisms that ensure that graduates appreciate agriculture and agribusiness as a source of employment and livelihood. 5. Africa must not outsource its food security (export jobs) but build capacity to bolster its global food production and export markets. Read less

The future transformation of food systems in Africa requires innovative research, education, and training approaches that are rooted in local contexts. Universities in Africa need to adapt and create knowledge to strengthen and transform the food systems through strengthening links and improving production, processing, storage, transport, food quality, and businesses that link them and consumers. Universities must play a crucial and more effective role in anticipating the skill-sets and knowledge demanded by rapidly changing food systems, and provide these skills and information in ways that t... Read morerickle through the entire economy. In turn, the universities need to translate knowledge created into innovations that transform and develop potential to drive their own and Africa’s food system transformation. Now is the time to reassess and redesign the African universities and assist them to build their capacity to deliver Africa’s food system transformation. The dialogue therefore targeted a) University contribution to: i) Zero Hunger, access to nutritious food and food safety: Approximately 300 million people in Africa are undernourished and food insecure; ii) Elevating the voice and role of Smallholder farmers in Food Systems interventions- Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress - b) Long-term investment and policy for Food Systems research, higher education and innovation. i) Enhancing Human Capital development to support the transformation of Food systems- Advance equitable livelihoods Read less