Session's name: Prospects for achieving equitable food systems through agroecology as part of the Agroecology Theme Day under the framework of the Science Summit at the 78 United Nations General Assembly
Co-convenors: Agroecology TPP and
Agroecology Coalition
Session description and objectives: Far from many SDG targets being on course to be met, hunger, biodiversity loss and inequality are accelerating while prospects for limiting climate change to manageable consequences are fast diminishing. In this context, it is increasingly clear that there is a need for integrated systemic actions rather than trying to tackle one issue at a time.
Agroecological transitions do this by maintaining a focus on improving food security and nutrition equitably, alongside stemming and reversing biodiversity loss, degradation of land and water resources; and, both mitigating and adapting to climate change.
From the
agricultural research for development standpoint, the importance of a
paradigm shift towards more systemic, transdisciplinary approaches has been repeatedly stressed. This shift needs to be coupled with local, national and global enabling policy frameworks conducive to the widespread uptake of agroecological transitions, unlocking finance for agroecological research and development that is in proportion with its potential to address global challenges. Improving access to scientific evidence around agroecological transitions by the global community is vital for scaling evidence-based approaches to food systems transformation, highlighting the importance of the agroecological principle of co-creation and sharing of knowledge.
Organized by the
Agroecology Coalition and
The Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology under the framework of the Science Summit at UNGA 78, this agroecology theme day aims at addressing the above key issues through a series of panel and roundtable discussions with the final objective to
co-develop draft recommendations as input to the 2024 Summit of the Future in an inclusive manner.
This event will build on the UN Food Systems Summit Stock-taking Moment in Rome, July 2023 and inform the conversation at COP28 in UAE, November / December 2023.Through interactive and roundtable discussions we will explore progress in science, policy and practice required to effect
agroecological transitions, addressing multiple SDGs at the same time.
REGISTER AT https://bit.ly/AE_UNGA78 by indicating your preferred attendance mode: either online or in-person (Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza).
Agenda and speakers:10 am - 10:05 am | Opening session - welcome and introduction
- Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition
10:05 am - 10:10 am | Welcome remarks
- H.E. Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations
10:10 am - 11:00 am | Session 1 - Evidence and Equity
Keynote presentation by:
- Fergus Sinclair, Co-convenor of the Agroecology TPP and Chief Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF
Keynote presentation by:
- Jemimah Njuki, Chief of Economic Empowerment, UN Women
Panel discussion with:
- H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Ferrero y de Loma-Osorio, Chair of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), Spain
- H.E. Amb. Mrs. Sophea Eat, Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations (TBC)
- H.E. Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium and the EU
Q&A with audience
11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Session 2 – Towards conducive policies for transformative research
Moderation by
:
- Rachel Bezner-Kerr, Professor, Department of Global Development, Cornell University
Presentation on Tracking the implementation of CFS policy recommendations on agroecological approaches by:
- Alex Awiti, Senior Agroecology Policy and Advocacy Advisor at CIFOR-ICRAF
Reaction by:
- Irish Baguilat, Coordinator, Asian Farmers Association (AFA)
Group discussion and reporting back 11:50 am - 12:40 pm | Session 3 – Towards holistic metrics of agricultural and food system
Moderation by
:
- Rachel Bezner-Kerr, Professor, Department of Global Development, Cornell University
Presentation on Measuring what matters: Guiding principles for the holistic assessment of agri-food systems by:
- Mary Crossland, Livelihood Systems Associate Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF
Reaction by:
- Mariana Wongtchowski, Director of Caring for the Earth, Porticus Foundation
Group discussion and reporting back 12:40 pm - 12:45 pm | Reflections by:
- Rachel Bezner-Kerr, Department of Global Development, Cornell University
- Fergus Sinclair, Co-convenor of the Agroecology TPP and Chief Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF
- Jemimah Njuki, Chief of Economic Empowerment, UN Women
12:45pm - 1pm | Closing remarks by:
- H.E. Ambassador Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations
Followed by networking lunch
