Washington, DC – The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Scientific Group of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Food Systems Summit signed a Memorandum of Understanding today establishing a framework for collaboration on research for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. The framework outlines key themes for research collaboration, including gender equity, inclusive transformation for smallholders, and empowering decisionmakers with modern technologies and practices, among others.
The MoU was signed by Johan Swinnen, director general of IFPRI and Joachim von Braun, Chair of the Scientific Group. Maura Barry, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development also provided remarks at the signing event, along with statements from IFPRI researchers Jemimah Njuki and Sherwin Gabriel and Vice Chairs of the Scientific Council Louise Fresco and Mohamed Hassan.
The Science Group consists of leading experts from across diverse disciplines including natural sciences, agronomy, ecology, natural resources, nutrition, and social sciences will inform the Summit’s content. The UN Food Systems Summit is convened as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The Summit will help establish the future direction for food systems in our world and inspire action to engage all citizens as food system stakeholders, and bring about tangible, positive changes to the world’s food systems.
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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. IFPRI was established in 1975 to identify and analyze alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting the food needs of the developing world, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and on the poorer groups in those countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development. Visit www.ifpri.org Follow: @IFPRI