29 January 2025, 2.00 – 2.45​ CET, AEC WEBINAR SERIES

Agroecology, Nutrition and Health 

Unleashing the potential of agroecology to ensure healthy and nutritious diets 

Current food systems face major environmental, climate and health challenges, while responding to food security and nutrition challenges. In this context, countries have negotiated and adopted for the first Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health at the Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP16 in Cali last October 2024. 

In a literature review, a majority of studies (78%) found evidence of positive outcomes in the use of agroecological practices on food security and nutrition of households in low and middle-income countries. Indeed, Agroecology Principles and Elements constitute a holistic approach with multiple co-benefits on biodiversity, climate adaptation and mitigation, and soil health, while providing nutritious food for all.  

For this Webinar Series #4, the Agroecology Coalition is hosting a conversation on the role of agroecology in ensuring nutrition and healthy diets, while producing food in a sustainable manner, and what available evidence do we have on this topic.  

Moderators:

• Agroecology Coalition Secretariat 

• Stacia Nordin, Registered Dietitian, Founder and Director, Never Ending Food Permaculture Malawi

05 December 2024, 17.00 – 18.30​ (AST GMT+3), UNCCD COP 16 SIDE EVENT

Framing sustainable agricultural approaches​: Agroecology, organic, nature-based​

Current food systems face major environmental, climate and health challenges, while responding to food security and nutrition challenges. In this context, a couple of sustainability concepts started to get more and more attention in the food systems governance: “sustainable”, “organic”, “agroecology”, “nature-based solutions”, “regenerative”, “ecological agriculture”, and many more.  Several articles (e.g. Carbon Neutrality Group, Nature-Based Solutions and Agroecology: Business as Usual or an Opportunity for Transformative Change?) and reports (e.g. IPES-Food, Smoke and Mirrors, 2022) highlight the fact that even though these competing concepts are often grouped together, they can imply different meanings. For this year’s UNCCD COP16, the Agroecology Coalition and GIZ are co-hosting a conversation on differences and synergies between these different concepts, frameworks, and approaches in transforming our food systems towards more sustainability.

Organizers: Agroecology Coalition, GIZ

Speakers:

• Jean-Daniel Cesaro, CIRAD
• Helmy Abouleish, SEKEM
• Tara Shaym, Regen10
• Martina Fleckenstein, WWF
• Esther Penuna, Asian Farmers Association
• Walter Link, Now Partners
• Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition and Jasmin Hundorf, GIZ (Moderators)

Location: COP16  Blue zone, Sect A (MET24)​, UNCCD Pavilion​, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (in-person only)

05 December 2024, 15.30 – 17.00​ (AST GMT+3)​, UNCCD COP 16 SIDE EVENT

Agroecology: A game changer to address aridity issues ​

Based on conclusions from UNCCD Aridification Report, scientific evidence and documented agroecological experiences, we aim to evaluate the potential of agroecological  approaches to adapt to water limitation in a holistic manner and eventually provide  sustainable alternative food systems in arid regions

Speakers:

• Arona Diedhiou, UNCCD Science/Policy Interface 
• Laurent Cournac, IRD and AE Coalition Research Working Group co-Facilitator
• Fiona Becker, GIZ, tbc 
• Jairo Sancho Rodríguez, Costa Rica UNCCD Focal Point – tbc
• Niclas Gottmann or Bernard Crabbe, European Commission – tbc
• Erimelinda Temba, Ile de Paix  (TZ)
• Wissal Ben Moussa, Sand to Green  (Morocco)
• Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition (moderator)

Location: COP16  Blue zone, Sect A, MET 06, UNCCD Pavilion​ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (in-person only)

05 December 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 (AST GMT+3), UNCCD COP 16 SIDE EVENT

Bridging the three ​Rio Conventions​ through agroecology ​

Food system transformation and land restoration are key to harmonizing action between the Rio conventions to achieve climate, biodiversity and land targets. This session will discuss and feature how agroecology can connect and deliver on these agendas through various studies and practice on the ground. 

Speakers:

• H.E. Ambassador Nosipho Jezile,  Ambassador in Rome (Italy) and Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome of the Republic of South Africa, and Chairperson of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS)
• Andrea Meza Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCCD SEcretariat
• Tristan Tyrell, Programme Officer, Biodiversity & Climate Change, CBD Secretariat 
• UNFCCC Secretariat (tbc)   
• Switzerland – Stephanie Piers de Raveschoot, UNCCD Swiss Focal Point 
• European Commission (tbc)
• Allan Milhomen, General Coordinator on Agroecology,  Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
• Angelita Vitor, Articulação do Semiárido Brasileiro (Brazilian Semiarid Organization)
• John Garcia Ulloa, Biovision Foundation
• Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition (Moderator)

Location: COP16 Blue zone, Area A, MET 07, UNCCD Pavilion​, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (in-person only)

Land and Agroecology, Uniting Policy, Practice and Science​

Hosted by BMZ/GIZ in cooperation with the Agroecology Coalition, Biovision Foundation, we would like to convene a reception and expert meeting. We invite experts and organisations from the land use, agroecology, agriculture and food systems, forestry and biodiversity communities to discuss the interlinking of land and agroecology in achieving the objective of Land Degradation Neutrality. The reception aims to bring together agroecological actors participating in UNCCD to explore ways to elevate agroecology within the UNCCD community. 

Speakers:

• HE Minister Max Andonirina Fontaine, Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable de Madagascar
• Fiona Becker, BMZ, Senior Policy Officer, Division Agriculture and Rural Development 
• UNCCD Secretariat – tbc
• John Garcia Ulloa, Senior Programme Manager, Biovision Foundation
• Pascale Bonzom, Global Head, Food and Agricultural Systems, IUCN
• Esther Penunia, Secretary General, Asian Farmers Association
• Jasmin Hundorf, Project Lead, GIZ Sector Project Resilient Rural Areas 
• Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition (Moderator)

Location: COP16 Blue zone, Delegation Pavilion B07, IUCN Pavilion​ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Towards Healthy, Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems: Agroecology, Soil Health, and Healthy Diets

Organisers: Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH), CIFOR-ICRAF, Agroecology Coalition, Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network (YARN), The Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty (TIP) 

With over one-third of the Earth’s surface being degraded, the ecosystems’ ability to produce healthy and nutritious food is limited. A powerful lever, agroecology provides sustainable solutions to issues of soil degradation, climate, biodiversity, food security and nutrition, including precarious livelihoods and social inequalities, faced by farmers and food system workers. Understanding linkages across health, nutrition and environmental sustainability highlights opportunities for collaboration and generating knowledge to call for action to invest in agroecology, soil health, nature and people in transforming food systems. 

The session will feature experiences, best practices and country approaches aiming at protecting nature, preserving the richness of biodiversity and restoring degraded land and ecosystems, while producing diversified, nutritious and culturally appropriate foods towards healthy diets. Ensuing discussion will focus on ways of implementing and amplifying such approaches at scale.

Location: UNFCCC COP29 Blue Zone, Action on Food Hub

Speakers: 

• Moderator: Leigh Winowiecki, Global Research Lead Soil and Land Health, CIFOR-ICRAF and Co-lead of CA4SH
• Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition 
• Andrea Echeverri, Coordinator of Unsustainable Livestock Campaign, Global Forest Coalition 
• Manei Naanyu, Head of Programmes, PELUM Kenya 
• Collins Lungu, National Coordinator, Zambia Youth Environmental Network 
• Madhukar Swayambhu, Founder & Research Head, Vaidic Srijan LLP, A climate Tech Start from Bharat (India) 

Resilient Food Futures: Agroecology & Climate Finance for ambitious NDCs 3.0

Countries play a crucial role in leading ambitious climate action. With the next revision of NDCs due by 2025, this event will discuss the role of agroecology for resilient food systems and how climate finance could support it by leveraging ongoing national policy developments.

Lead Organisations: Biovision, IPES-Food, AFSA, SAFE, WWF, Agroecology Coalition

Co-organisers: Bioversity International-CIAT, Asian Dev. Bank

Speakers: 

• Patrick Kibaya, MALF Kenya;
• Dirk Meyer, BMZ, Germany (tbc);
• Fernanda Machiavelli, MDA, Brazil (tbc);
• Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, MARD, Viet Nam(tbc);
• Charles Yu,UNDP;
• Million Belay, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa;
• Martina Fleckenstein, WWF;
• Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition

Agroecology Coalition Webinar Series #3

Agroecology in Action: Stories from the Ground

Ten years after the first International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition (2014), the Agroecology Coalition publishes the report “Agroecology in Action: Stories from the ground” showcasing ten projects making the case for agroecology and illustrating how the Agroecology Principles and Elements can be operationalized in various contexts.

From Asia (India, Nepal, Himalayas), Africa (Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Tchad, Ivory Coast, Niger), the Middle East (Lebanon), to Latin America (Colombia, Nicaragua, Ecuador) and Europe many organizations work together to implement projects and initiatives to transform the food systems through agroecology.

During this Agroecology Coalition Webinar Series #3, the Agroecology Coalition is hosting a conversation to learn more about how agroecology can be implemented in different contexts, and to discuss what are the enabling conditions to ensure positive results and impact and deliver on social, economic, and environmental objectives. We will also see what the hindering factors and lessons learned are for wider implementation.

The cases featured in this publication were shared by members during the monthly interactions of the Coalition’s Working Group on Implementation. These meetings provide members with a space for co-learning and exchanging knowledge.

Speakers:

• Benoit Berger, Director, International Partnerships and EST, Fair Trade Lebanon,
  • Tarik Akhdar (Green Road), Lebanon
• Andrea Santopaolo, Junior Sector Expert, Food Security and Rural Development,
  • the Agri-Urb Project in Maputo, Mozambique,
• Yeni Carillo, Research Professional AeDLABS project, SWISSAID Colombia,
  • The Agroecology Digital Laboratories (AeD-LABs), Latin America
• Alexander Wezel, Research Director, ISARA and Baptiste Grard, Professor-Researcher, ISARA
  • AE4EU project, Europe

Moderators:

• Pierre Ferrand, FAO
• Agroecology Coalition Secretariat

Interpretation services will be available in English, French and Spanish.

Biodiversity for nutrition and health through Agroecology

Co-organizers: Agroecology Coalition, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, IPES-Food

This side event will tackle how, through agroecology, agrobiodiversity can be sustainably managed and used while promoting nutrition and health. At the country-level, it will showcase how agroecology is as a crucial pathway for countries like Colombia and Brazil which are striving to meet their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and how it achieves the multiples targets set by the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), including not only Target 10 (sustainable agriculture), but also Target 1 (spatial planning), Target 2 (degraded ecosystems), Target 7 (pollution), Target 8 (climate change), Target 11 (restoration), Target 16 (sustainable consumption), Target 18 (harmful subsidies), Target 20 (knowledge), and Target 21 (participation). 

At the local level, it will feature grassroots initiatives demonstrating how agroecology provides a pathway to protect nature, conserve the richness of biodiversity and restore degraded land and ecosystems, while producing healthy, diversified nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Speakers:

• Sofia Monsalve, Secretary General of FIAN International and IPES-Food Panel member
• Carlos Fadda, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT
• Mauricio García Alvarez, SWISSAID Colombia 
• Stacia Nordin, Never Ending Food Permaculture Malawi (recorded video)
• Diana Paola Salamanca, Government of Colombia
• Vivian Libório de Almeida, Director of the Department of Innovation for Family Farming Production and Agroecological Transition at the Secretariat of Family Agriculture within the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (Brazil).

Moderated by Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition

In-person: CGIAR Pavillion, Blue zone, COP 16 Cali

Languages: EN/ES

Harnessing agroecology, agrobiodiversity and family farming to transform food systems and halt biodiversity loss

Co-organizers: Agroecology Coalition, Agricord, Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Rural Forum (WRF), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, Switzerland

This session will discuss policies and financing needed to promote and support agrobiodiversity through agroecology and family farming as essential ingredients to ensure effective implementation of the GBF Targets and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and integration of agrobiodiversity considerations across the Rio Conventions and associated targets (such as Land Degradation Neutrality Targets under UNCCD and Nationally Determined Contributions/National Action plans under UNFCCC). 

It will showcase local and national experiences both in the North (e.g., Germany, Switzerland or France) and in South (Brazil, Colombia and/or Tanzania) in terms of practices and approaches that protect and manage agrobiodiversity and for meeting people’s needs with sustainable use and benefit-sharing, including initiatives of Forest and Farm producer organizations and Indigenous territorial organizations to finance and scale up agroecological approaches.

Speakers:

• Marcela Quintero, DDG, Alliance Bioversity/CIAT
• Karina Gonzales, Co-Founder and Director, ProNobis Agroforestal, Rede Ecovida, Brazil
• André Moreira Bordinhon, Governement of Brazil (online)
• Thierry DUDERMEL, DG INTPA, European Commission
• Ludovic Larbodiere, IUCN
• Doina Popusoi, IFAD
• Monicah Yator, Indigenous Women and Girls Inititiative

Moderated by Oliver Oliveros (Agroecology Coalition) & Elena Aguayo Rico (World Rural Forum)

Languages: EN/ES

In-person: IUCN Pavillion, Blue zone, COP 16 Cali

Streaming available here

Boosting NBSAPs through agroecology – launch of a new Guidance Tool

Organizers: WWF, BIOVISION, Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Agroecology Coalition & Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT

In-person: Small Room (COP CBD Cali)

Advancing Biodiversity Law and Fair Governance through Agroecology

Co-organizers: Agroecology Coalition and IPES-Food, with the technical assistance from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization

This online event will highlight the role of agroecology in promoting biodiversity law and fair governance. Indeed, the Principles and Elements of Agroecology address the whole food system transformation from agroecosystem management to inclusive governance architectures that support fair participation of local communities in decision-making related to agriculture and food as well as land and natural resources. This event will also underscore how supporting the rights, knowledge and seed systems of food producers, consumers and biodiversity guardians can uphold rights-based policy frameworks that enable biodiversity and ecosystems protection, while ensuring equitable, resilient, inclusive and healthy food systems.

Speakers:

• Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition, Chair of the Event 
  
• Martha Ngalowera, Environmental Education Officer and NBSAP national coordinator, Vice President’s Office, Division Of Environment, Government of Tanzania. 
• Oliver De Schutter, Co Chair, IPES-Food, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (via recorded video)
• Lim Li Ching, Co-Chair, IPES-Food and Third World Network
• Michael Taylor, Executive Director, International Land Coalition
• Ysa Calderón, Founder and CEO of Sumak Kawsa, Member of Young Professionals for Agriculture and Rural Development (YPARD) Peru
• Fikru Takele, National Coordinator, Land For Life Ethiopia

Addressing the unequal burden of climate change – Articulating the value for money of investments in climate resilience, gender equality, and nutrition

Organizers: IFAD; International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); World Bank; Agroecology Coalition; FAO; Standing Together for Nutrition/The Micronutrient Forum; Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)/I-CAN; Government of Senegal; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); ROPPA; AICCRA (WB)

Agroecological approaches, especially those which are gender transformative, will be essential for addressing climate adaptation/mitigation, gender equality, and nutrition goals in parallel. The overall objective is to promote investments and foster greater coordination across the environment, agriculture, gender, and health sectors to deliver on gender, climate change and nutrition goals.

Speakers:

• Dr. Lauren Phillips, FAO
• Dr. Carlo Azzarri, IFPRI
• Saskia Osendarp, Executive Director of the Micronutrient Forum
• Sarah LaHaye, Lead of the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) at GAIN
• Pierre Ferrand, FAO and representing the Agroecology Coalition as facilitator of its WG on Implementation
• Emily Wylde, IFAD
• Representative of Senegal – TBC
• Representative of UK – TBC
• ROPPA

Location: Sheikh Zayed Centre at FAO HQ (Rome, Italy) and online 

Languages: EN/FR

Harnessing agroecology, agrobiodiversity and family farming to transform food systems and halt biodiversity loss

Co-organizers: Agroecology Coalition, Agricord, Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Rural Forum (WRF), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, Switzerland

This session will discuss policies and financing needed to promote and support agrobiodiversity through agroecology and family farming as essential ingredients to ensure effective implementation of the GBF Targets and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and integration of agrobiodiversity considerations across the Rio Conventions and associated targets (such as Land Degradation Neutrality Targets under UNCCD and Nationally Determined Contributions/National Action plans under UNFCCC). 

It will showcase local and national experiences both in the North (e.g., Germany, Switzerland or France) and in South (Brazil, Colombia and/or Tanzania) in terms of practices and approaches that protect and manage agrobiodiversity and for meeting people’s needs with sustainable use and benefit-sharing, including initiatives of Forest and Farm producer organizations and Indigenous territorial organizations to finance and scale up agroecological approaches.

Speakers:

• Jonathan Mockshell, Agroecology Transitions, Alliance Bioversity/CIAT
• Luis Facco, COPROFAM
• Vincent Peyraud, Representative of Switzerland
• Anna Sianga, Representative of Tanzania
• Yiching Song, FSN China
• Alejandro Argumedo, Potato Park

Moderated by Oliver Oliveros (Agroecology Coalition) & Elena Aguayo Rico (World Rural Forum)

In-person: CGIAR Pavillion, Blue zone, COP 16 Cali

Languages: EN/ES

Streaming available here.

The Agroecology Opportunity: an investment in biodiversity, water, climate, soil, and community security and resilience

Global experts outline multiple co-benefits of agroecological farming for water systems, biodiversity, soil health, and farmer and community resilience, and how to integrate agroecology into NBSAPs.

Co-organizers: Pan UK and Agroecology Coalition

Speakers:

• Jago Wadley, PAN UK
• Marcela Quintero, Alliance Bioversity Ciat
• Marc Vilahur, Government of Catalonia
• Max Levy,EcoAgriculture Partners
• Ida Simonsen, Dutch delegation, Global Youth Biodiversity Network & La Via Campesina
• Martha Ngalowera, Tanzania NBSAP Focal Point
• François Moreau, City of Paris

Moderated by Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition

In-person: Netherlands Pavillion, Blue zone, COP 16 Cali

The role of Youth in the Agroecological Transformation: insights from Youth Networks from all over the world

Through our hybrid side-event organized during the World Food Forum (15-19 October 2024), we will spotlight the pivotal role of youth in promoting agroecology, connect existing Youth Networks and hope ignite the creation of new movements and initiatives. We will also showcase the innovative contributions of young individuals and groups, inspiring others to join the movement towards sustainable agricultural practices.   

Co-organizers: the Agroecology Coalition, the Agroecology Europe Youth Network (AEEUYN) and the Young Professionals for Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) 

Speakers: 

• Nicole Cecchinato, Agroecology Europe Youth Network (AEEUYN)

• Edoardo Corriere, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), Programme Manager 

• Ngaakudzwe Tinotenda Chifamba, Young Volunteers for Environment Zimbabwe, Deputy Director/Head of Research and Projects

• Karina Gonçalves David, ProNobis Agroflorestal, Rede Ecovida 

• Deep Jyoti Sonu Brahma, Commutiny – The Youth Collective 

Moderated by Amelie Steu, Agroecology Coalition Associate Coordinator 

In-person: Faisal Room at FAO HQ (Rome, Italy). 
Online: web streaming on World Food Forum website

Code on the WFF Online platform: YP08

Agroecology, Organic, Regenerative, Nature-based: a conversation on food systems sustainability framings 

Agroecology Coalition Strategy Launch

The road to Belem and beyond: financing and leveraging agroecology for impactful NDCs, NBSAPs and NAPs.

Hybrid event

Agriculture and Food Systems in NBSAPs: Critical Pathways to GBF implementation and beyond

In-person event

Harvesting Hope: Agroecologica Practices in Transforming Food Systems

Digital event

International conference on agrobiodiversity

Hybrid event

National Agroecology Strategies in Eastern and Southern Africa: Lighthouses for food system transformation

Hybrid event

An event to discuss national strategies aiming at supporting the agroecological transition of food systems.

Women, Agroecology and Food Systems transformation

Webinar

A conversation with Agroecology Coalition co-chairs in the run up to International Women’s Day.