22 October 2012: During its recent 39th session, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) agreed to launch a two-year consultation process to develop principles for responsible investment in agriculture that respects rights, livelihoods and resources. CFS aims to serve as an inclusive platform for stakeholders to work together to address policies that promote food security and nutrition.

The principles are meant to complement the recently endorsed “Voluntary guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests in the context of national food security.” The principles for responsible agriculture investment will address all types of investment in agricultural value chains and food systems, and will include concerns of host countries and investors. The process will be undertaken under CFS.

During the week, the CFS also adopted the first version of a Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition (GSF), and agreed on a multi-stakeholder consultation process that will produce an Agenda for Action to address food security concerns in countries with protracted crises. [FAO Press Release]