SIANI, the Government of Sweden, IFAD and FAO host a hybrid side event at the 2023 World Food Forum Flagship event in Rome. The event explores innovative solutions to water management in the agrifood sector to mitigate the impacts of climate change, hunger and water insecurity. In a participatory and co-producing space, speakers and participants get to discuss current challenges and solutions related to water in the agrifood sector, and exchange ideas in intergenerational dialogues with researchers, practitioners and policymakers that have been working in the field for a long time.
Participation is possible both at FAO HQ in Rome and through the virtual conference platform.
Register to the World Food Forum Flagship event here.
Find our event in the online platform by searching for the code YI04.
Speakers
Welcoming remarks: Fredrik Alfer, Deputy Director-General for EU and International Affairs, Swedish Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure
Alessandro Silvello, representative, Global Biodiversity Youth Network
Janie Rioux, Senior Climate Finance Specialist, IFAD
Jippe Hoogeveen, Senior Water Officer, Land and Water Division, FAO
Miguel Trejo Rangel, representative, Water Youth Network
Eveline Maertens, Communications Manager, Toilet Board Coalition
Background
Water is essential to human and planetary life. Not only is it a basic human need, but it also underpins so many other aspects of society, including sanitation, health, climate change and not least hunger and food security. Agriculture, climate change and water are therefore strongly interlinked. In fact, agriculture and food systems are today the largest sectors consuming water – and water consumption will increase in the future to meet demands from a growing population, urbanisation and climate change. Today, 2,4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, many of whom are smallholder farmers. The agriculture sector already accounts for 70 % of global freshwater withdrawals and agricultural water management faces challenges of climate change, unsustainable use of the resource and inadequate institutional policies. Sustainable agriculture meanwhile plays a central role in alleviating pressures on resources, including water, to mitigate climate change and risks of hazards.
About the World Food Forum Flagship event
The World Food Forum (WFF) aims to drive sustainable change by responding to local needs and challenges, while supporting and implementing sustainable solutions that can be amplified and scaled up around the globe.
The WFF’s theme for 2023 will focus on highlighting the synergies between the transformation of our agrifood systems and climate change adaptation and mitigation: Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action. Join the WFF flagship event from 16 to 20 October 2023 in FAO HQ, Rome, Italy and virtually.