Organizers

Agroecology Coalition and the Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children and All (HDSFS)

Background

Current food systems face major environmental, climate and health challenges, more than 2 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, and the global nutrition targets are not on track. Countries have negotiated and adopted the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health at the Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP16 in Cali last October 2024. Simultaneously, in March 2025, countries and partners committed a record $28bn for nutrition at the Nutrition4Growth Summit, demonstrating a continued and growing awareness and interest of good nutrition, key to achieving the SDGs. In a literature review from 2021, a majority of studies (78%) found evidence of positive outcomes on food security and nutrition of households in low and middle-income countries through the use of agroecological practices. Indeed, the Agroecology Principles and Elements, constitute a holistic approach, aiming to provide nutritious food with multiple co-benefits for biodiversity, climate adaptation and mitigation, and human and soil health. This side event will highlight evidence from the ground, academia and policymakers, on the role of agroecology in ensuring good nutrition and healthy diets, while producing food sustainably.

Objectives: 

• Highlighting the scientific evidence of agroecology benefits for healthy and sustainable diets.
• Showcasing national projects linking agroecology and healthy diets.
• Demonstrating alignment of agroecology principles and the policy package for governments to provide healthy diets for all.
• Understanding  to what extent and how countries integrated agroecology into their national food and nutrition security targets/commitments at N4G for enhanced impact.

Event language

English, Spanish, French

Tentative agenda

11:00-11:10 Welcome and opening the session by Moderators Oliver Oliveros (Agroecology Coalition) and Anna Horner (UN-Nutrition Senior Coordinator/HDSFS Coalition) 

11:10-11:20 Setting the scene by Mr. Chike Mba, Deputy Director of Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), FAO 

11:20-11:30 Keynote speech by Rachel Bezner, Kerr Cornell University (online) 

11:30-11:55 Roundtable dialogue with rapid-fire questions 

Country representation: 

• French
• Ethiopia 
• Ecuador
• Switzerland

NSA representation:

• SWISSAID Tanzania (online) 
• Youth representative via YOUNGO/YPARD 

11:55-12:10 Discussion with audience by Moderators Oliver Oliveros (Agroecology Coalition) and Anna Horner (UN-Nutrition Senior Coordinator/HDSFS Coalition) 

12:10-12:15 Closing remarks and call for action by Lina Mahy, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, WHO