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41st Session of the Committee on World Food Security
On 13 – 18 October 2014, the 41st Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) took place in Rome, Italy. The CFS meets annually to take stock of progress on reducing food insecurity in the world, and to map out key policy objectives…
October 29, 2014 - Last update: July 4, 2022
On 13 – 18 October 2014, the 41st Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) took place in Rome, Italy. The CFS meets annually to take stock of progress on reducing food insecurity in the world, and to map out key policy objectives over the course of the year. It reports to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). The 41st Session of the CFS was attended by delegates from member states and representatives from UN agencies, civil society, private sector, foundations and research organizations.
A highlight of the session was the endorsement of the Principles on Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI), developed in an inclusive process over the last two years. Chair of the CFS, Gerda Verburg said that reports on food insecurity and malnutrition emphasised the key role played by responsible and sustainable investments in agriculture and the food system. “The RAI Principles would foster not only more, but better investment in agriculture and food systems as well to meet the challenge of sustainable global food and nutrition security for all.”
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food, Member States reaffirmed their commitment towards achieving the realization of the Right to Food. The CFS reviewed the progress achieved to date. National case studies and lessons learned were shared by India, El Salvador and Jordan.
The 41st Session of the CFS included two roundtable policy discussions which covered food loss and waste in the context of sustainable food systems and the role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for food security and nutrition.
Delegates explored in interactive panel discussions the role of food security and nutrition in the Post 2015 development framework and at the regional level they reviewed CAADP/NEPAD efforts to mainstream nutrition in agriculture.
On World Food Day the International Year on Family Farming was celebrated under the title ‘Feeding the future, caring for the earth’. In this context CFS stakeholders discussed together with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands the role of innovation in family farming to ensure food security and nutrition.
José Graziano da Silva, Director General of the FAO declared to participants: “Food security is everyone’s business. It is a society – not a government – that decides to eradicate hunger and achieve food security. Political commitment and leadership from governments is the first step. However, civil society, private sector and other non-state actors also need to embrace this goal. At the global level the CFS promotes an enabling environment for this to happen.”
The final report, photos and videos can be found at CFS
Learn more about the Civil Society Mechanism and the Private Sector Mechanism of the CFS
Read more about the CFS
Read more about World Food Day 2014
Food and Agriculture Organisation
