“No water, no food: Governing the Water-Food-Ecosystems Nexus for Resilient and Inclusive Agrifood Systems” - CFS54 Side event

Water is essential to food security, nutrition, public health, agricultural productivity, and the health of ecosystems. The effects of water insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations, highlight the urgent need for integrated and inclusive governance approaches.

To address this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) are pleased to invite you to CFS54 Side event “No water, no food: Governing the Water-Food-Ecosystems Nexus for Resilient and Inclusive Agrifood Systems”, which will bring together policymakers, experts, practitioners, and development partners to explore how coordinated action across water, food, and ecosystem sectors can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In response to the global call for resilient food systems and integrated resource management, the discussion will explore how integrated governance frameworks for the Water-Food-Ecosystems Nexus can be translated into effective and inclusive public policies that simultaneously advance SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The session will provide a platform for dialogue on turning policy commitments into tangible action at local, national, and regional levels by featuring experiences in nexus governance, identifying lessons learned and practical policy recommendations for integrated water, food, and ecosystem governance that can strengthen food security and nutrition by supporting the availability, access, and consumption of healthy diets.