The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment is around the corner, and the WFO community is ready for bringing the farmers’ voice at every pivotal moment of this event. 

The UNFSS+2 will be hosted by Italy, in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the wider UN system. It will be held in Rome, from 24 – 26 July 2023, at the FAO premises. 

The overall topic will be “Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity: Diverse Pathways in a Shared Journey”. Starting from this idea, the event serves as a make-or-break moment to maintain and generate further momentum on action for food systems transformation in support of SDGs acceleration. 

The World Farmers’ Organisation will be a co-organiser of two side events, while a delegation of WFO representatives, composed of the WFO President, Arnold Puech d’Alissac, the WFO Board Member of the African Constituency, Ms Elizabeth Nsimadala, Ms Josiane Irakarama (WFO Enagement Intern from INGABO Syndicate), and Mr Daniel M. M’Mailutha from KENAFF together with the WFO Secretary General Arianna Giuliodori and other officers from the WFO Secretariat, will be involved in several official sessions and events, to ensure the perspective of the farmers, those who work tirelessly to feed the world, is well-represented in any discussions concerning the Food Systems transformation. 

Let’s have a deep dive into the WFO agenda: 

Monday 24, 11:30-12:30, “Red Room” – FAO Special Event: “Fertilizers: Meeting Short-Term Needs While Working Towards Sustainable Solutions” 

On Monday 24 July, the WFO Secretary General, Ms Arianna Giuliodori, together with WFO Engagement Inter, Ms Josiane Irakarama will bring the global farmers’ voice into a special event organised by FAO. 

This event will aim to gather influential policymakers and experts to engage in discussions regarding immediate measures to tackle the challenges of affordable and accessible fertilizers.
Additionally, it will seek to address the long-term objective of promoting responsible and sustainable practices in agricultural fertilization that prioritize environmental considerations and contribute to global food security.  

During the session, various topics will be explored, including the adoption of innovative fertilizer application methods, the significance of technology transfer and training, and the implementation of trade-related policies and crisis response measures. 

Monday 24, 16:30-18:00: Stakeholder Roundtable Leadership Dialogue 

On the same day, from 16:30 to 18:00 CET, the WFO Secretary General, Ms Arianna Giuliodori, will also join the “Stakeholder Roundtable Leadership Dialogue”, promoted by Sophie Cowppli-Bony, SENA Group and the UN Food System Coordination Hub. 

The session will contribute to shaping inclusive food systems transformation through the sharing of governance actions, initiatives, best practices and lessons learned. The sharing of this knowledge will promote the development and strengthening of clear, transparent and inclusive multi-actor participation mechanisms, tools and plans aimed at addressing social and power imbalances, gender and transgenerational inequity as well as social and economic exclusion and resilience degradation of the most vulnerable populations groups. 

Tuesday 25, 12:30-13:30, “Iran Room” – WFO Co-organised Side Event:
“How to Make Water Pivotal in Food Systems” 

On Tuesday 25 late morning, the WFO, in collaboration with FAO, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Government of the Netherlands, CRFS Alliance, IWMI, and World Bank Group, will be hosting a side event entitled “How to Make Water Pivotal in Food Systems”.
It will draw from an analysis of the National Pathways and the outcomes of the UN Water Conference. Its primary focus will be on highlighting the crucial role of water in food systems and food security. The objective is to foster a collective understanding of the necessity for joint efforts in addressing the role of water in food systems and to establish the knowledge agenda for this subject.  

The WFO Board Member, Ms Elizabeth Nsimadala, from the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), will contribute by bringing the global farmers’ perspectives, experiences, needs, and best practices to enrich the discussions. 

Tuesday 25, 13:30-14:30, “Ethiopia Room” – WFO Co-organised Side Event:
“The Sustainable Livestock Journey” 

Immediately following the morning side event, the focus of the WFO will shift to another important subject regarding the transformation of food systems: “The Sustainable Livestock Journey: Informing National Pathways for More Productive, Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems”.  

This event, co-organized by WFO, ILRI-IDF, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya, will explore global consensus on livestock issues and priorities, providing valuable insights into on-the-ground advancements. The objective is to emphasize that through the adoption of a food system perspective and sustainable practices, the livestock sector can instigate transformative changes leading to more productive, fair, and environmentally friendly food systems.

During the discussion, the WFO President, Mr Arnold Puechh d’Alisasac, together with Ms Josiane Irakarama, will contribute by bringing the farmers’ perspective into the debate.

Wednesday 26, 13:30-14:30, “German Room” – Side Event: “Farmers Markets. A strategic tool to develop resilient and sustainable local food systems”

The day after, the WFO SG, Ms Arianna Giuliodori, will take part in a side event titled: “Farmers Markets. A strategic tool to develop resilient and sustainable local food systems”. 

The event is led by the World Farmers Markets Coalition (of which the WFO is a founding partner), alongside the Resilient Local Food Supply Chains Alliance, the CIHEAM-Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 

The objectives will be to highlight the crucial role local fresh food markets play in delivering stability, transforming food systems for sustainability and resilience, implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, and building greater awareness of the farmers’ market model overall. 

It will also be the occasion to lay the foundations for constructive and long-term dialogue with national, regional and provincial governmental authorities for the implementation of food policies that support the organised development of farmers’ markets as the first steps to recalibrate the territorial social contract around local food systems that model multifunctional agriculture. 

Wednesday 26, 13:30-14:30, “Austria Room” – Side Event: “ Science and Innovation for People, Planet and Nature”

In the meantime, in the “Austria Room”, and Mr Daniel M. M’Mailutha, from the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF), a WFO Member Organisation, will speak at the “Science and Innovation for People, Planet and Nature” side event.

Co-organised by CGIAR and ClimEat, the event will raise awareness of the feasibility of the 2023 Breakthrough Agenda Report recommendations to contribute to food systems transformation.
Participants will explore successes and bottlenecks of country-led action in innovation ecosystems and reflect on governance mechanisms needed to align pathways with global climate and biodiversity processes, and related national implementation mechanisms. They will also discuss the role of finance in scaling up efforts and implementing commitments at the country level.

 Don’t miss the chance to join the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment, click here to register virtually: https://fao.6connex.eu/event/conference/unfss2023/register

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