CFS 2016 Private Sector Engagement

In October 2016, the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) had its largest delegation to date for the 43rd Session of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), with over 120 representatives. The meetings took place 17 – 21 October, in Rome, Italy, to discuss the issues and solution on global food security and nutrition.

CFS 43 by the numbers:

• 170 private sector delegates registered and approximately 140 delegates attended Rome for CFS 43.
• Successful meeting with FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva, including efforts to address regional engagement with FAO.
• Bilateral meetings with representatives from more than 60 member states. The week included meetings with every regional group of member states.
• 21 interventions made from the floor by a full range of delegation members on a broad selection of topics in the CFS agenda, as well as several plenary panel slots for PSM members.
• The PSM was able to organize 4 side events this year, reaching over 230 attendees.
• High Level Dinner bringing together 190 ambassadors, representatives of CFS member states, UN agencies, NGOs, and companies, as well as the chair of the CFS, Her Excellency Ambassador Amira Gornass and Mastercard Vice-President Tara Nathan, to discuss the role of innovation in achieving the SDGs. 
• The PSM’s final Partnership Forum of the year on the topic of “Partnerships to achieve the SDGs”, co-hosted by Norway and the UN Global Compact attracted an audience of 80.  Featuring a diverse selection of speakers, the discussion spoke to every goal of the 17 SDGs. 
• Successful endorsement of CFS recommendations on the role of livestock for sustainable agriculture and on connecting smallholders to markets.
• Meetings occurred with World Food Programme, and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Food Security – Dr. David Nabarro.

The Plenary Program included;

• State of Food Insecurity in the World and the 2030 Agenda
• Sustainable Agricultural Development for Food Security and Nutrition, including the Role of Livestock
• Smallholders Access to Markets Policy Recommendations
• CFS Workstream and Activity Updates
• CFS Engagement with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• CFS Engagement in Advancing Nutrition
• Forum on Urbanization, Rural Transformation and Implications for Food Security and Nutrition
• The Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition

The PSM Delegation benefited from;

• Bilaterals with member states of FAO regional groups
• Meetings with UN agencies based in Rome
• 50+ Side events

Side Events

Side events were held throughout the week. Please check the Side Events Calendar and Brochure on the CFS 43 web page for more details: http://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs43/ 

CFS 40th Birthday Exhibit

In 1974 the World Food Conference passed a resolution through the General Assembly recommending that FAO set up a Committee on World Food Security. An ad hoc consultation on World Food Security was convened in May 1975 after which FAO Council established CFS which held its first meeting in 1976. Originally the Committee was set up to look at how food production in developing countries could be increased so that they could reduce reliance on imports. Another factor was the world economic situation which needed a more equitable international world order. 

2016 was the 40th birthday of CFS. An exhibit was put on highlighting some of the milestones of the Committee since its inception and look at how the role of the Committee has evolved over the years.

Information Marketplace

CFS stakeholders was given the opportunity to display material related to food security and nutrition and the mandate of CFS and to interact with CFS delegates.

CFS 43 Official Website

CFS Side Event Guidelines to PSM Organizers

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Annual General Meeting

The 2016 Annual General Meeting took place April 25th to the 27th at the UN FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. There were 40 participants.