Paris, France, Wednesday 26 April 2023

• Major representatives of international organizations, ministries, and civil society took part in the side event on “Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration For More Sustainable Food Systems In The Mediterranean” 

• The side event was held at the margin of the 4th Global Conference of the One Planet’s Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme and in view of the 1st UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment which will take place in July 2023 

• The event was a successful occasion for highlighting future paths of enhanced cooperation and boosting joint efforts for Mediterranean agrifood systems

26 April 2023, Paris (France) -Fruit of the tight collaboration between the CIHEAM, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Union for the Mediterranean, and Prima Program, the side event “Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration For More Sustainable Food Systems In The Mediterranean” took place at the margins of the 4th Global Conference of the One Planet Network. The CIHEAM was represented by its Secretary General Mr Teodoro Miano, Mr Sandro Dernini, CIHEAM Bari Coordinator of the SFS-MED Platform, and by Mr Maroun El Moujabber, Senior Officer at CIHEAM Bari. 

Enhancing Cooperation via the SFS-MED Platform

The organizations gathered to imagine together ways to enhance cooperation in the Mediterranean towards more sustainable agrifood systems, embracing the concepts of blue, green, and circular economies. This goal is made more urgent given the approaching UNFS Stocktaking Moment, conceived after the initiative of the UN Secretary-General as a space for countries to share their experiences, stories, and lesson learnt concerning food systems transformation, adaptation to climate change, and communities’ resilience. 

In light of that, the CIHEAM underlined its commitment to the SFS-MED platform which it sees as a powerful tool of cooperation in the Mediterranean region. “The CIHEAM aims at connecting local and national systems into an international network able to face more efficiently environmental and socio-economic issues as well as environmental, humanitarian and social crises”, CIHEAM Secretary General Mr Miano said. 

The way forward

Although the platform has already reached significant achievements, it is necessary to accelerate the transition towards sustainable food systems by enhancing innovation, collaborating with Mediterranean SMEs, and promoting agroecology and agritourism. 

Mediterranean countries can represent a virtuous model at the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment, showing that results can be achieved at the regional level through intense collaboration and by accepting interdependence. In addition, the representation of the Mediterranean at COP27 marked an important moment as it brought regional issues to the global stage. The cohesive participation of Mediterranean countries in similar global platforms will continue and will manage to reach greater results for the benefit of all.