Food systems are significantly shaped by the policies and funding flows of international institutions, governments, donors, and private companies, particularly in developing countries. The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and other global fora provide opportunities to secure smallholder livelihoods and defend access to food, land, and seeds – and to accelerate urgently needed climate action. But these processes face numerous challenges and threats. Through various workstreams, IPES-Food inputs directly into global governance processes, as well as analyzing the funding flows of global food system actors, and identifying opportunities for reforming food system governance and enhancing civil society’s ability to influence it.
In this regard, IPES-Food has released a memo (12 November 2020) outlining our position on the UN Food Systems Summit: why we remain sceptical, and why we are getting involved. IPES-Food has also made the case for a real restructuring of global ag-research centres, notably the CGIAR.
Our Special Report takes aim at a growing debt crisis that could plunge millions more into hunger – and the critical role of unsustainable food systems in driving rising debt and food insecurity.
Global Governance 
IPES-Food warns that the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) is being used to advance a new mode of decision-making that could exclude many voices in food systems. A small but influential group of actors has long been demanding the creation of a new panel – an ‘IPCC for Food’ – to streamline decisions on the future of food systems. On the eve of the UNFSS Science Days, where the idea will be showcased, IPES-Food underlined the importance of science-based decision-making. However, the briefing note warned that the new panel – as planned – risks imposing a narrow view of science, and shutting down democratic debate.
Global Governance 
Global Governance 
| EU 
IPES-Food and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) provide specific recommendations on how the EU can support the global transition to more sustainable food systems. As the world’s largest food importer, the EU can use its trade policies and agreements to stimulate and incentivise more sustainable practices by its trade partners.
Read the brief ( EN )
In collaboration with Biovision and IDS, IPES-Food analyses the financial flows in food system research that go to sub-Saharan Africa. Our new data shows that only a fraction of agricultural research funding in Africa is being used to move food and farming systems towards greater sustainability.
Read the Full Report ( EN )
Read the Executive Summary ( EN | FR | ES | DE )
The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration brings together local and regional authorities from across the world to speak with a unified voice in committing to putting into practice integrated food policies to tackle the climate emergency.
Visit the website
Part of joint project between Biovision and IPES-Food, the Agroecology Info Pool contains convincing cases, a criteria tool to assess projects or policies, and an assessment of the impacts of various agroecological interventions on all Sustainable Development Goals. This website serves as a platform to provide evidence, knowledge, and experiences on the impacts and multiple benefits of agroecology.
IPES-Food’s contribution to the first draft of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition (VGFSyN). The contribution supports the CFS process, while underlining current gaps and shortcomings that must be addressed.
IPES-Food's contribution to the FAO Committee on World Food Security (CFS) Policy Convergence Process on Agroecological and Other Innovative Approaches, urging the CFS to make bold recommendations on agroecology, underlining its unique potential to spark food system transformation.
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