Spotlight Our Food Our Future

17 December 2020
09:00 ET | 15:00 CET

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, food systems around the globe faced notable challenges, including the impacts of climate change and other man-made disasters. Now, social distancing, movement restrictions, and broken supply chains are making it even more difficult to grow, transport, process, distribute and sell food.

The pandemic is exposing the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of already fragile food systems, and in many low- and middle-income countries, small-scale farmers risk being deprived of both their livelihoods and their access to food. Meanwhile, the negative economic consequences of the pandemic will further impact other vulnerable populations' ability to afford and access safe, healthy, nutritious foods.

As part of the lead-up to the Food Systems Summit in 2021, Devex and IFAD are co-hosting a third virtual event designed to spotlight the urgent need to guarantee accessible and affordable quality foods for all – especially as the economic consequences of the pandemic deepen. We will explore how to make projects more nutrition-sensitive and also look at the importance of addressing malnutrition by supporting the availability of nutritious local foods, balanced diets, and efforts to address and combat obesity.

Co-hosted by

SPEAKERS

Dr Martin Frick

OPENING REMARKS

Deputy of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Food System Summit 2021

Emanuela Del Re

PRESENTER

Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs
& International Cooperation,
Italy

Dr Satoshi Ezoe

PRESENTER

Director, Global Health Policy Division, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

Aksel Jakobsen

PANELIST

State Secretary of International Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway

Isatou Jallow

PANELIST

Founder & Executive Director
AfriCAN - Africa Catalyzing Action for Nutrition Network

Cristina Bowerman

PANELIST

Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur

Dr Donal Brown

PANELIST

Associate Vice-President, IFAD

Raj Kumar

MODERATOR

Devex President & Editor-in-Chief

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