21 October 2016: The 43rd session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 43) endorsed policy recommendations on the role of livestock for sustainable agricultural development for food security and nutrition, and on connecting smallholders to markets. CFS also decided to support country-led implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to provide regular contributions to reviews under the High-level Political Forum (HLPF).

On the role of livestock, CFS acknowledged the report ‘Sustainable Agricultural Development for Food Security and Nutrition: What Roles for Livestock?’ produced by the CFS High-level Panel of experts. It endorsed a set of policy recommendations based on the report and encouraged all stakeholders to use the recommendations, document their experiences and present them at a stock taking exercise to be organized at a future CFS session. The recommendations address, inter alia: fostering policy coherence for food security and nutrition; fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment; fostering empowerment of youth; protecting the environment and promoting sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources; enhancing resilience against risks and variability; and improving animal health and welfare.

On connecting smallholders to markets, the CFS endorsed a set of policy recommendations developed by the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Connecting Smallholders to Markets. CFS encouraged all stakeholders to disseminate and use the recommendations, document their experiences and present them at a stock taking exercise to be organized at a future CFS session. The recommendations aim to address the key challenges and opportunities for improving smallholder access to markets, calling for, among other actions: regular collection of comprehensive data on diverse markets and food systems; fostering a more enabling market environment; improving smallholders’ access to market and price information; establishing policy and institutional arrangements that empower smallholders; improving access to finance; developing or improving smallholder-targeted infrastructure; promoting smallholder products; investing in capacity building, research and smallholder-adapted innovative technologies and technology transfer; and promoting short food-supply chains.

Other issues on the CFS agenda included: sustainable food systems, nutrition and climate change; CFS engagement in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda); the Report on the State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI) and the 2030 Agenda; monitoring the implementation of CFS decisions and recommendations; CFS engagement in advancing nutrition; the Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPoW); the Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition (GSF); and evaluation of the CFS.

On CFS engagement in advancing the 2030 Agenda, the Committee endorsed a document that addresses how CFS will support country-led implementation of the 2030 Agenda and national achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in accordance with its mandate. It also decided that the Committee will provide regular inputs to reviews under the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF), and adopted guidance for the preparation of such contributions.

CFS 43 also held special or thematic events on the following issues: inclusive value chains for sustainable agriculture and scaled-up food security and nutrition outcomes; implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT); the Forum on Urbanization, Rural Transformation and Implications for Food Security and Nutrition; and learning from the first volunteer national reviews with regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

With approximately 1,200 participants, CFS 43 convened from 17-21 October 2016, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, in Rome, Italy. The report of CFS 43 will be made available on the CFS Website. The session coincided with the 40th anniversary of the CFS plenary, which held its first session in 1976.

The CFS was established in 1974 as an intergovernmental body to serve as a forum in the UN system for review and follow-up of policies concerning world food security, including production and physical and economic access to food. After undergoing a reform in 2009, CFS now serves as an inclusive international, intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder platform. Its mandate is to: coordinate a global approach to food security; promote policy convergence; support and advise countries and regions; coordinate at national and regional levels; promote accountability and share best practices; and develop a global strategic framework for food security and nutrition. [CFS 43 Website] [CFS 43 Blog] [IISD RS Report of CFS 43] [IISD RS Coverage of CFS 43] [FAO Press Release on the Opening of CFS 43] [UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Statement]