Transformations within reach: Resilient food systems

This virtual meeting will focus on how the post-COVID recovery process could catalyze paths towards more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Disruptions to food supply caused by measures taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 have led to food crises in many parts of the world, with the poor and marginalized disproportionately affected. How can we use knowledge gained from responses to the pandemic to ensure that the recovery process aids transformation to food systems able to withstand and recover from disruptions in a way that ensures a sufficient supply of safe and accessible food for all?

This virtual meeting will present key insights and areas for transformative action that have emerged from the IIASA-ISC Consultative Science Platform and complementary applied research initiatives. It will highlight pathways to ensure that the post-COVID recovery process aids the transformation of food systems towards greater resilience and sustainability.

Speakers:

• Albert van Jaarsveld, IIASA Director General and CEO
• Flavia Schlegel, Special Envoy for Science in Global Policy of ISC
• Barbara Stinson, President, World Food Prize Foundation
• Ismail Serageldin, Emeritus Librarian of Alexandria; ISC Patron and Chair of the IIASA-ISC Consultative Science Platform on Resilient Food Systems
• HE Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius
• Eric K. Ogunleye, Advisor to the Vice President & Chief Economist, African Development Bank
• Petr Havlik, Acting Program Director of Ecosystems Services and Management Program– IIASA, Lead of Resilient Food Systems theme of the IIASA-ISC Consultative Science Platform
• Ismahane A. Elouafi, Director General, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture
• Taher Kahil, Research Scholar with the Water Program – IIASA
• Moderator: Frank Sperling, Alt. Lead of Resilient Food Systems theme of the IIASA-ISC Consultative Science Platform, ESM, IIASA

For more information and the agenda see here.

Background

In May 2020 the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the International Science Council (ISC), launched the IIASA – ISC Consultative Science Platform:Bouncing Forward Sustainably to a Post-COVID World. The two organizations have drawn on their combined strengths, expertise and large scientific communities to come up with a set of insights and key areas for transformative action resulting from a series of online consultations, which have brought together over 200 experts from all the regions of the world. These online consultations have focused on four themes: strengthening science systems, responsive governance, resilient food systems and sustainable energy. The platform is informed and supported by an advisory board under the patronage of the former UN Secretary General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon and the Chair of the Elders H.E. Mary Robinson. Currently, the initiative has the following partners: Ban Ki-moon Center, Future Earth, Earth League, and Vienna Energy Forum. Further information