A sustainable future and food security for all: EU countries outline their priorities for the FAO
The transition to a sustainable food system that provides resilience against shocks and ensures food security for all is key to tackling the global challenges of today. The FAO has a vital role to play in achieving this. The EU and its member states are ready to strengthen their cooperation with the FAO and continue working with other FAO members to ensure effective action.
Peter Kullgren, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs
In the conclusions, ministers highlighted the crucial role of the FAO in ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture. They call on the UN agency to increase its efforts in this regard, including by:
- encouraging agriculture that integrates the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability on an equal footing
- combatting threats such as deforestation and illegal or unreported fishing
- promoting sustainable solutions to the many challenges facing cross-border water supplies
They also pointed to the importance of sustainable business models for agriculture, in particular circular economy, bioeconomy and nature-based solutions.
Finally, the Council called on the FAO to continue its efforts to improve its governance, transparency and accountability, including by increasing gender equality within the agency. It highlights the longstanding relationship between the FAO on the one hand, and the EU and its member states on the other, and sets out a number of steps to further enhance dialogue and cooperation.
