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 ).

Kuwait - Stage 2

Food loss and food waste management in Kuwait

Major focus

The participants focused on the proper consumption requirements which depends on proper production, and the need for clear organization and policy to regulate the process of local productions, marketing them, and encourage food industries by modifying and changing the subsidy policy, and that the subsidy be done according to the quality and not the quantity. There was also a focus on the importance of protecting the local products from competition in the market , due to the inability of local food companies to market their products, forcing producers to throw their products away and waste them... Read more. A proposal was discussed to license factories to convert the surplus production to other food products. Participants also discussed the importance of managing water by treating wasted water from residential and industrial units and use it for plant irrigation not for food consumption. 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

Kuwait - Stage 2

Improving the health and nutritional status of school children in Kuwait

Area of divergence

There was no disagreement between participants. In fact all participants agreed on the importance of improving nutritional status of school children and developing appropriate and corrective actions to reduce health risks.

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

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

Kuwait - Stage 2

Improving the health and nutritional status of school children in Kuwait

Discussion topic outcome

1) Establishing the national committee for promoting the nutritional status of school children chaired by PAFN with Ministry of Education and school Health Department in the Ministry of Health to implement and monitor WHO/FAO recommendations on school children. 2) Partnership with food Industry for abiding with and reformulation of food products. 3) Conducting research with academic institutions in Kuwait to assess, evaluate and monitor policies and intervention programs. 4) Collaboration with Ministry of Information for promoting nutrition policies and activities in the country.

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

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

Kuwait - Stage 2

Improving the health and nutritional status of school children in Kuwait

Main findings

1. Developing a national nutrition strategy under the umbrella of the Council of Ministers to ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals regarding food security. It was stressed on the importance of meeting nutritional requirements of the population and focus on providing health promotion and education. 2. Mobilize government, private sector, and civil society support to ensure implementation. 3.Develop a national committee for promoting the nutritional status of school children chaired by PAFN with Ministry of Education and School Health Department in the Ministry of Health to im... Read moreplement and monitor WHO/FAO recommendations on school children. 4. Collaboration between PAFN and Ministry of Education to raise nutritional awareness and capacity building among the school administration, parents, and students. 5- Collaboration between PAFN and food industry regarding the importance of reformulating school snacks ( no added sugars, no added salt, no TFA and no sugar sweetened beverages). 6. Enforcing physical education curriculum and adding nutrition and applied nutrition curricula. 7. Developing school agricultural projects and activities to educate students on the importance of sustainable food production , by selling planted school produce in school canteens and motivating students to participate in school farming competitions, in collaboration with Public Authority for Food and Nutrition , the Public Authority Of Agriculture Affairs And Fish Resources and the Environment Public Authority. 8. Conduct research to evaluate and assess the following - before and after implementation: ● Nutrition awareness programs of school canteen staff . ● Dietary food habits among school children. ● The effectiveness of enforcing physical education. Read less

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

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

Kuwait - Stage 2

Improving the health and nutritional status of school children in Kuwait

Major focus

Kuwait held a national phase 2 dialogue addressing improving the nutritional status of school children in Kuwait virtually on 26 May 2021 in preparation for the Food Systems Summit (FSS) in September 2021. Different stakeholders participated in the dialogue representing sectors related to nutrition and health of school students with a total of 118 participants. Participants conducted a thorough diagnosis of overweigh and obesity among school students which highlighted the following points: 1) Lack of nutritional awareness in the school environment (administration, students and parents). 2) Unh... Read moreealthy school food environment. 3) Insufficient implementation of physical education curriculum in some government schools. 4) Failure of school administrations to abide by school canteen regulations. Read less

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

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

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Area of divergence

Some concerns have been raised about corporate co-optation and the legitimacy of the UNFSS as a democratic process, which was also reflected in the conversations during our dialogue. Some participants seemed to be more optimistic about the overall prospect of the summit, whereas, others expressed their concerns about perspectives of the summit itself, the way it is organized, it’s importance and inclusivity aspects. This divergence appeared to be especially visible in our different breakout sessions. Some groups jointly created a sense of hope and focused on future possibilities, however, ot... Read moreher conversations turned out to be rather based on underlying legitimacy issues which undermine the process itself. Another divergence that emerged from a breakout session was who would take on the leading role and responsibilities needed to implement and monitor the solutions proposed in the Food System Summit. Whether it should be the UN agencies or Governments while NGOs act as watchdogs. No clear conclusion was met but UN agencies were emphasized to have more of an active and leading role although the lack of power from the UN was recognized. Read less

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

Keywords: Governance

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

Private sector: - Improve clarity: who is involved in decision-making, identifying success stories and private sector leaders, i.e. who is in the leadership teams of each Action Track? - Match Private Sector goals with already established normative goals - There are many different types of the private sector: some are big transnational ones; some are small-holders. Additionally, the split between Global North and Global South needs to be considered - There is a need to focus more on the large corporations that are significant for the change to a more sustainable system - Realising the importan... Read morece of “unusual” alliances between NGOs, private and public sector is essential - these partnerships can be useful, but it’s important to find a balance between the partnerships without the risk of greenwashing - Major corporations are often held accountable for their actions - they change due to reputational risks since they are afraid to have these impacts reported in the media. Media transparency and reporting information are crucial to track these issues. - Investors may only know about the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) risks if reported in the media. - It matters who is using and managing data should not be misused or captured. - Climate change: things are often being defined in terms of climate targets – but for example imported deforestation is an injustice that needs to be addressed accordingly - We need circularity of the economy and of thinking; rather than an extractive model - Progress might come faster from the private sector than the official side of things - For example, EAT Lancet dietary guidelines are being adopted by Denmark and that gives us hope; they have worked on changing norms and showing that people want to change their diet Read less

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

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

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

Individual: - Individuals should change their consumption patterns, but the food system summit needs to create an environment of change for those patterns. - Shared responsibility across stakeholders. The pressure shouldn’t all be on individuals shoulders, and society needs to offer support for change - Procurement is impactful. For example, food in schools/universities can contribute to change towards a more healthy & sustainable consumption which is why more focus is needed on the impact of surroundings - It’s critical to connect the dots: Intergovernmental processes need to be bette... Read morer connected, such as COP and FSS. The food system is a huge contributor to the climate crisis, and there is so much potential to address that issue jointly, but connections being made are not visible - It’s impossible to have an inclusive outcome without an inclusive input - efforts need to be at every level and go beyond the summit - There is a need to come to a common consensus and build up to make change - Acknowledge, boost power of localised advocacy Read less

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

Keywords: Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

Subnational: - Frame actions as collective missions that invite people to contribute to a continuous, evolving journey - It is essential to move the needle further down towards the ground, to empower local leaders better. Resources and decision power should be transferred from the UN and nation-states more to a city-level through different mechanisms and processes. With strong fora and facilitators, we need to start asking questions and empower conversation at a lower level where the issue begins and then build up from there. - Sub-national governments must be empowered to act with resources a... Read morend tools so they can not only recognise a solution set or Action Area as a priority but also translate it into actual movement/call for change - Layer an accountability mechanism into the summit that gives more power to cities. Read less

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

Keywords: Governance, Policy

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

National: - To empower key actors in food systems, the focus on accessibility and affordability as well as the guarantee of technical and financial support provided for the implementation of actions are essential - Enhance coordination across sectors at the national level - Having a mapping of each actor’s role at the end of the Summit to carry forward actions and ensure that they are concretised - Risk management, risk transfer, social protection, and focus on resilience building factors are important - Directly reaching out to national governments is crucial– preparations to engage with ... Read moreexisting actors to bring in different actors - Ensure that government subsidies are going towards supporting the vulnerable communities/farmers etc. - Actions that focus on going back to basics – systems thinking and systems innovation, taking into account externalities and systems solutions - Actions that focus on changing the existing thinking which is leading to unhealthy food systems, and food choices - It is crucial to consider qualitative as well as quantitative indicators, and targets are being set up accordingly - It is crucial to balance incremental (no bandage solutions) and systematic approaches (new ways of looking at, trade etc.) - The UN Food Systems System is voluntary – what is the best way to engage countries? (balance to be innovative and conservative in ways that do not scare away countries) - Shifting policies towards focusing more on broader actions and implications - tangible solutions 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

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

Intergovernmental: - Investing in testing and pilot projects with farmers and producers, especially in areas with limited resources, to get early feedback to include into the process is crucial - For complete transparency, the FSS government structure should be open to civil society, and an accountability system should be set up, shared and owned by all the stakeholders - Connect all the multilateral frameworks that exist already (including trade aspects to be built on) to change food systems, e.g. UNFCCC, SDGs, Sendai Framework, CFS, regional or bilateral processes - Food Systems have to play... Read more an essential role at COP26 - catalyse civil society towards it; this is a role of the UN - UNFSS representatives should take urgent action in engaging underrepresented groups more actively - Informing about the term Food Systems is essential to raise awareness across all levels of engagement - explanation/storytelling is needed to create necessary common approach/synergies - Engage UN Member States as champions for the solutions that the FSS recommends - Stakeholder engagement in different states /cities is necessary to include vulnerable groups - All actions must be transdisciplinary, inclusive, and aligned with rights-based approaches to achieve equitable food systems transformation. - This includes building processes and policy platforms on democratic principles, including transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation to ensure that interventions are both evidence- and rights-based. Read less

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

Keywords: Data & Evidence, Governance, Human rights, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Main findings

- It is essential to define key areas and set one strong core message/goal/statement, e.g. Demand for Food Justice to bring to COP26 (prevent from lobbying) - Localise solutions: Focus on local businesses, ensure availability of healthy and plant-based food Meet communities where they are and adapt nutritional recommendations Tailor-made strategies for specific areas Open communication on the politics of how the implications would be for different countries - Distribution of power and capital in our food systems: ensure a fair allocation at all stages of the food chain and include everyone in ... Read moredecision making - from seed production to where we purchase our food - Scale up CSO actions to ensure accountability and transparency (watchdog role) - Identification of responsibilities linked to other processes at a national and international level - Communication: Improve clarity: who is involved in decision-making, identifying success stories and private sector leaders, i.e. who is in the leadership teams of each Action Track? Ensure language used is inclusive, empowering and builds trust (tool kits, key areas to focus on, stakeholders who might be positive to change) - Inclusivity: Having policies and processes that are inclusive and participatory, which include actors who are not focused only on the food sector (holistic approach) Multi-actor processes and having key actors including vulnerable communities at the decision making tables - all groups should be able to participate, including across civil society - Focus on outcomes that feed into existing processes; building on existing entry points and scaling them up to ensure that it is possible to increase ambition - More focus on capacity building and enhancing technical expertise for stakeholders and CSOs to engage in concrete actions - Networks and Connections: It’s critical to connect the dots: Intergovernmental processes need to be better connected, such as COP and FSS Building bridges between stakeholders/ different actors working in silos, i.e. food systems on the environment etc.; networks cross-cutting expertise/actors; national dialogues or committees; Enhancing coordination across sectors at the national level For sub-national governments to be fully included in advancing solution sets that emerge from the Summit, a bridge must be built into the formal National FS Dialogues and the commitments being made at national levels - Actions leading to making the healthy choice the easy choice – accessibility, affordability Identifying how the outcomes could contribute to different national and international processes – contributing to the integration process 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

Independent Dialogue

Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change

Geographical focus: No borders

Major focus

50by40 and Action Track 2, led by Dr Gunhild Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair of EAT, UN Food Systems Summit, convened an independent UN Food Systems Summit Dialogue ‘Engaging Powerholders in Catalysing Food Systems Change’. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society groups, those from the private sector, national, regional, and international bodies. All in all, 59 participants joined the conversation. This was a perfect number to ensure lively and in-depth discussions in the breakout groups, simultaneously allowing a wide range of stakeholders t... Read moreo be represented. The dialogue aimed to generate a critical set of suggestions from civil society representatives for each of the stakeholder groups identified below on how to ensure inclusivity and actionability of the Summit outcomes and determine a pathway for taking these outcomes forward. As a conversation starter, the event serves as an essential step towards the Pre-Summit in July. The dialogue was curated by Lasse Bruun, CEO of 50by40 and Global Civil Society Lead for Action Track 2 of the UN Food Systems Summit. Speakers: - Lasse Bruun, CEO of 50by40 and Action Track 2 Global Civil Society Lead (Dialogue Curator) - Dr Gunhild Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair of EAT and Action Track 2 Chair - Yon Fernandez-de-Larrinoa, Chief of the FAO Indigenous peoples Unit Facilitators: - Zachary Tofias, Director of the Food and Waste Program at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group - Helena Wright, Policy Director at the Jeremy Coller Foundation - Lana Weidgenant, Deputy Director at Zero Hour International and Action Track 2 Youth Vice-Chair - Vositha Wijenayake, Executive Director at SLYCAN Trust - Jørgen Torgerstuen Johnsen, Consultant, Food and Nutrition Action in Health Systems unit at WHO - Lina Mahy, Technical Officer, Food Systems Unit of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO The core part of the event was breakout discussions organised around different stakeholder groups: - Intergovernmental - National - Subnational - Citizens/Consumers - Private Sector/Investors Key question: - What are the concrete steps key stakeholders/powerholders can take, from the perspective of civil society to action recommendations coming out of the Summit? Questions addressed in the breakout sessions: - How to ensure that the key recommendations are both inclusive, ambitious and actionable? - How to make them applicable and linked to other existing processes and multilateral frameworks? - What should actors at each level of food systems do to take these recommendations forward? - How to empower key actors of the food systems to facilitate a successful implementation? Event format: - Introductory statements by a diverse group of relevant and esteemed speakers (30 min) - Breakout discussions with an interactive element using an online collaboration tool called Miro to capture and share thoughts and notes. (60 min) - Sharing key learnings/reporting back (30 min) 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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Area of divergence

All panellists and participants agreed on the positions expressed and elaborated during this second dialogue. Although there was an emerging need to establish practices that can enhance trust between producers and consumers in the food systems, globally.

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES Participants reflected on the spread of misinformation and difficulties in transferring reliable, science-based information. This is the pivotal point for cementing trust between each other. Therefore, changing the message too frequently and not anchoring it in evidence-based research leads to confusion and misinformation. Once again, technology has been recognised as a good vehicle to support evolving agricultural practices. However, there is still a need to make it accessible, especially to farmers in developing countries.

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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

DELIVERING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION The discussion opened with the problem of power redistribution along the food supply chain and the flow of information. Frequently as a result of partial knowledge and understanding of the process, there is disconnect between producers and consumers' demands and expectations. Another element that the group focused on is the role that government can play in facilitating or not facilitating sustainable production and encouraging fair supply chain. However, the issue that has most pervaded the debate is the role of proteins in a healthy and nutritious diet. ... Read moreToday, we are witnessing a tendency to replace animal proteins with vegetable proteins, ignoring or neglecting the miraculous effects that ruminants have in transforming cellulose originating from land where cultivation is not feasible into nutrient dense, high quality proteins. Questions were also raised about the true nutrient contribution of processed and transformed foods, which can undermine good nutrition. 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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Discussion topic outcome

TRANSFORMING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS In this group, the debate was particularly active and focused on broad themes, seeking mutually convenient solutions. Much emphasis was placed on the role of education and the importance of its accessibility to all. A critical point discussed was the possibility of obtaining reliable information about the environmental impact of products and their sustainability. While consumers assume that food is safe, it is not as easy to find information about sustainability. On this last point, the multidimensionality of the concept of sustainability was underlined, encom... Read morepassing the economic and social as well as the environmental sphere. Technology helps us in terms of traceability and transparency, alleviating the lack of time that can afflict consumers. Indeed, consumers who want to make informed and responsible choices may not always have the adequate resources and tools. Moreover, correct and complete information is not only consumers' prerogative but also a concern of producers who are keen to communicate to consumers how they have carried out their work and what the food they produce contains. A final point, therefore, concerned shortening the supply chain to strengthen the contact between farmers and consumers.In this group, much emphasis was placed on education and the importance of bridging the knowledge gap. 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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Main findings

The concept that has been reinforced and reiterated is the will and the need to create an alliance between farmers and consumers, built on trust. This dialogue, then, has been recognized as the first step towards a long-lasting coalition between the two real pillars of food systems: farmers and consumers. It revealed the urgent necessity to redistribute power along the food value chain in order to create more equity and ensure food availability, sustainability and health. Moreover, it opened the door to a deeper understanding of the work done by farmers in their fields and to witness the proce... Read moress of food creation before it reaches consumers' plates. Consequently, the keywords that characterised this meeting were trust and informed choice. Participants expressed a willingness to engage and work together to create something different and reverse the vision according to which the two parties are the most fragmented and weakest in the food chain. Read less

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

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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Major focus

The Dialogue at stake is the second in a three-dialogue series and is intended to revert to and expand on the topics discussed in the previous one. The structure included a morning and an afternoon session, where the same issues were addressed. Compared to the previous dialogue, the focus was on more specific questions, encouraging debate and the expression of possible differences on controversial points and dig into the issues that are at the heart of the transformation we want to see in the coming years. The aim, in fact, is to develop a vision for the evolution of food systems that takes in... Read moreto account the perspectives and priorities of both sides. One round of break up sessions was organized under the following themes: 1) Transforming consumption patterns 2) Delivering food security and nutrition 3) Sustainable production practices Each discussion that took place in the various break-up sessions was reported back to the plenary by a representative from each of the two sides. At the end of this discussion, in the plenary session, strategies and visions were developed with respect to future steps that could be leveraged through the process. Read less

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

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

Independent Dialogue

Farmers and Consumers at the centre of 2021 UN SG Food Systems Summit

Geographical focus: No borders

Area of divergence

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