Seed at the UN 2021 Food Systems Pre-Summit
Coming 26-28 July the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit will take place in Rome, Italy. This Pre-Summit is largely open to online participation in various sessions during the main programme as well as most of the affiliate sessions that are being organized. As seed is a critical part of food systems we would like to share with you some of the sessions during the main event and side sessions, as well as other events organised during the Pre-Summit that might be of interest.
As there are a lot of events taking place we are sure we did not capture all seed related events in the suggestions below. If you have any events that you think we should add to this overview please do not hesitate to share them by sending the information in an email to: info@seednl.nl
The Main Programme
As seed is a crucial part of food systems most of the session organised will in some shape or form relate be interesting to participate in. However, we would like to give an idea on sessions that might be of interest:
The Voice of Farmers, Fishers, Pastoralists, and other Producers towards the Food Systems of the Future
Date: Monday, 26 July 2021
Time: 17:30 – 18:20 CEST
The session builds upon the outcomes of a series of farmer-focused consultation processes at national, regional and global level, which took place in the form of both Independent and Global Summit Dialogues. Led by farmers, fishers, pastoralists and other producers in all their diversity, the session will fully engage a wide range of stakeholders around a vision to jointly build more equitable, empowering, sustainable, and resilient food systems.
Demand, Innovate and Scale: Partnership and Research to Deliver the 2030 Agenda
Date: Monday, 26 July 2021
Time: 18:30 – 19:20
This session will highlight the role of Research and Innovation (R&I) in achieving sustainable and resilient food systems. A keynote speaker will set the stage, highlighting the current state of agricultural research and how it can help transform food systems, from production to consumption. A moderated discussion will bring together representatives from different stages of research delivery: demand, innovation, and scaling. They will explore the Research and Innovation priorities across different countries, regions and sectors, present actionable solutions to food systems challenges, and discuss opportunities for upscaling existing initiatives to achieve better nutrition for all, within planetary boundaries.
The Affiliate Sessions
Several of the Affiliate sessions organised direct or indirectly relate to seed and therefore may be of interest as well:
Agrobiodiversity for a Sustainable Future
Registration LinkDate: Monday 26 July 2021 Time: 19:30 to 20:20 CEST
Lead organisation: The Alliance and CGIARThis session will discuss the challenges and opportunities for increasing the use and conservation of agrobiodiversity to transform food systems into sustainable, equitable and resilient ones.
Rural Voices: Listening to small-scale producers and agri-entrepreneurs
Registration LinkDate: Tuesday 27 July 2021 Time: 13:30 – 14:20 CEST
Lead organisation: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Farm Radio International (FRI) Global Citizen and World Vision International,This Food Systems Pre-Summit session gives a voice to small-scale producers and agri-entrepreneurs in poor and marginalized areas who may not otherwise be heard. This session brings their opinions to the fore, to ensure they are heard and shared with those making decisions so that they too can participate in the unfolding global dialogue around the future of farming, food distribution and value chains.
Actions to Support Farmers’ Perspectives from Seeds to Food
Registration LinkDate: Wednesday 28 July 2021 Time: 13:30 – 14:20 CEST
Lead organisation: Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT), Government of NorwayFrom Norway, in a collaborative effort by Norwegian government agencies, research institutions and civil society organizations, the team proposed a game-changing idea to put farmers’ and indigenous peoples´ access to crop diversity first, in seed policy and practice for seed security. The organizing teams now join forces in this UNFSS affiliated session, to discuss how to take both dialogues further: what are the next steps, how can we support the transformation to equitable and sustainable seeds to food systems, with farmers and indigenous peoples playing a central role?
Other events taking place during the Pre-Summit
Seed is Power: Reclaiming African Seed Sovereignty
Zoom LinkDate: Tuesday 27 July 2021 Time: 09:30 – 11:00 CEST
Organised by: African seed sovereignty networks, with coordination through The Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity, Haki Nawiri Afrika and Oxfam Novib
Photo: isaw_company/Unsplash
