Adeze Ojukwu
Federal Government, in collaboration with, the United Nations(UN) system in Nigeria, has announced plans to organize series of dialogues, across the country towards ensuring resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Nigeria by 2030.
This is preparatory to the September 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (FSS) convened by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
The National Convenor of Nigeria Food Systems Summit Dialogue (FSSD) and Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, during a multi-sectoral, inter-Agency planning meeting for the dialogue.
According to her, the food systems dialogues, the first of which holds on February 23, are based on five action tracks which align with the current developmental priorities of Nigeria, and therefore, immensely contributory to improved food systems in the country.
‘The five action tracks,’ Mrs. Idowu explained, ‘include to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; Shift to sustainable Consumption Pattern; Boost nation Position Production; Advance equitable livelihood; and build resilience to vulnerabilities shocks and stress.’
The National Convenor emphasized that the Nigeria FSSD would be organized at three levels: The Inception National Dialogue, aimed at identifying food systems challenges from multiple perspectives; the Exploratory Dialogues, planned to hold in the six geo-political zones and major cities in Nigeria to harness promising approaches from diverse stakeholders that contribute to food systems in the country; and the Consolidatory Dialogues, aimed to exchange views on the pathway towards sustainable national food system, identify intentions and commitments of different food system actors.
In Nigeria she explained, ‘the Food Systems Dialogue would create more inclusive, healthier food systems, and encourage a collaborative approach towards building sustainable food systems and enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, observed that ‘the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened the Nigeria food systems and the food systems dialogues would provide a critical opportunity to tackle the weaknesses that were exposed by the crisis.’
‘We must mobilise human and material resources across the country, and come together to dialogue on how to build back better, the ailing food systems. We are all members of the global food system, and we all have a responsibility to act.’
Mr Kallon said the UN Secretary-General’s Food Systems Summit was designed to galvanise new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems.
‘It will also enhance food security and sustainability of eco-based Agriculture and food systems around the world,’ he added.
The September Food Systems Summit by the UN Secretary General will raise global awareness and get global commitments and actions that will transform food systems to resolve not only hunger, but reduce diet-related diseases and heal the planet.
He called for collective action of all citizens to radically change the way we produce, process, and consume food.
In November, Mohammed, invited all Member States to engage in the preparation of the Summit through encouraging action-oriented Dialogues, discussing ways to achieve sustainable food systems by 2030. In December 2020, Envoy for the Food Systems Summit, Agnes Kalibata, launched the Food System Summit Dialogues (FSSD), which are critical to the engagement process and offer a purposeful and organized forum for stakeholders to come together to share evidence, experiences and new ideas to transform the way the world produces, consumes and disposes of food.
These Food Systems Summit Member State Dialogues provide opportunities for stakeholders to shape their local and national pathways, indicate their intentions and commit to specific actions. The programmes enable participants to make connections, explore different perspectives on food systems, examine the possibilities that emerge, and turn those with the greatest promise into solutions that can be implemented when and where they are relevant. It is an approach that will build on food systems work that is already underway within national and local realities, and crowd source sustainable solutions from all people to make this a Peoples’ Summit.
