Communities Forestry and Social Development

THE FAO IS HOSTING AGRI-FOOD CHAMPIONS IN ROME THIS MONTH The global coordinator of the World Food Forum, Mr. Kazuki Kitaoka, is set to host and witness once again a gathering of over 7000 world experts, impassioned changemakers, and visionary leaders of all ages, including the youth, for the 2024 World Food Forum Flagship event. Slated to be held from October 14 to 18, 2024, the World Food Forum event has over the years remained a premier global agrifood platform to leverage the power of intergenerational collaboration, the power of intergenerational cooperation, as well as partnerships and action across policy, science, innovation, education, culture, and investment. Moreover, it is also committed to supporting and growing youth initiatives in the agrifood sector with a collective mission to co-create actionable solutions to advance agrifood system transformation across the globe.

We at CFN support the EU regulation on deforestation free products. By promoting the consumption of ‘deforestation-free’ products and reducing the EU’s impact on global deforestation and forest degradation, the new Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products is expected to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The Regulation is part of a broader plan of actions to tackle deforestation and forest degradation first outlined in the 2019 Commission Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests. This commitment was later confirmed by the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

There are calls from various stakeholders within cocoa value and supply chains to produce cocoa sustainably. This is in the right direction. We can do this simply by respecting the four Fs in the supply chain. Respect the Farmer Respect the Forest Respect the Food Respect the Finance

Cocoa production has significant implications for forest conservation. Let’s explore this further: Deforestation and the Cocoa Industry: The cocoa industry is a major driver of deforestation worldwide, particularly in West Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Human rights violations and the loss of important wildlife habitat are frequent outcomes of cocoa farming. Factors like increasing global demand for cocoa products, uncertain land ownership, poverty among farmers, and a lack of regulation contribute to the expansion of cocoa farms into forests. Agroforestry and Reforestation: Agroforestry practices, where cocoa is planted alongside other trees, can promote ecosystem conservation and forest restoration. For example, in Colombia, 40% of cocoa is grown through alternative development programs that substitute illicit crops with cocoa. Initiatives like Cocoa Life assist farmers in planting new tree seedlings, aiding reforestation while increasing household income through food crops. This strategy helps mitigate climate change and promotes forestry. In summary, sustainable cocoa production involves balancing economic needs with forest conservation efforts. By adopting agroforestry practices and promoting responsible cocoa sourcing, we can protect forests and livelihoods simultaneously.

Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues The world is facing a plastic crisis, the status quo is not an option. Plastic pollution is a serious issue of global concern that requires an urgent and international response involving all relevant actors at different levels. Many initiatives, projects, and governance responses and options have been developed to tackle this major environmental problem, but we are still unable to cope with the amount of plastic we generate. In addition, there is a lack of coordination, which can lead to a more effective and efficient response. Various actors in Geneva are engaged in rethinking the way we manufacture, use, trade, and manage plastics. The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues aim at outreaching and creating synergies among these actors, highlighting efforts made by intergovernmental organizations, governments, businesses, the scientific community, civil society, and individuals in the hope of informing and creating synergies and coordinated actions. The dialogues highlight what the different stakeholders in Geneva and beyond have achieved at all levels, and present the latest research and governance options. Following the landmark resolution adopted at UNEA-5 to end plastic pollution and building on the outcomes of the first two series, the third series of dialogues will encourage increased engagement of the Geneva community with future negotiations on the matter.