At regional forum, FAO urges actions on agrifood systems transformation

Sustainable development is a pressing issue that requires global attention. To ensure that no one is left behind, it is essential that agrifood systems be made more sustainable, equitable and resilient.

To that end, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) recently held a Regional Forum on Sustainable Development to discuss ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region in times of crisis.

The forum was held in Geneva and online 29–30 March.

The interconnected and cascading effects of multiple crises have impacted the environmental, economic and social sustainability of agrifood systems in the countries of the region. Agrifood systems are affected by climate change through higher temperatures, greater water demand, increasingly variable rainfall and weather extremes. Addressing all forms of malnutrition and ensuring food and nutrition security presents significant challenges to our food systems – challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which has disrupted food supplies and trade and marketing channels.

The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia participated in a round table and two side events during the forum to share its expertise and insights on sustainable food systems and rural development, with a specific focus on localizing SDGs, highlighting the key role of cities and local authorities, and discussing the enormous opportunities for women in the region through agritourism and innovation.

SDG localization: How local actors are driving change and advancing agrifood systems transformation

The side event Localizing the SDGs: Agrifood systems transformation as a key accelerator, jointly organized with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul Regional Hub and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), provided a platform for discussing the individual and collective actions, policies, investments and programmes needed to achieve SDG 2, SDG 13 and SDG 15.

Agrifood systems transformation is a powerful SDG accelerator with enormous potential to positively influence the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

At the event, FAO stressed the key role of local and subnational authorities, non-state actors and individuals, looking particularly at the synergies and trade-offs among sustainable agricultural production, climate change, sustainable use of ecosystems, and halting biodiversity loss and land degradation.

The forthcoming FAO/UNDP publication “SDG Localization in Europe and Central Asia: Guidelines to support subnational development planning and budgeting,” developed in cooperation with IISD, was proposed as a step-by-step approach to SDG localization.

Advocacy, knowledge sharing, networks, and social capital, such as youth networks and farmers’ seeds systems, science and innovation, disaggregated data, inclusive participation and coherent policies emerged as key elements to guide the necessary transformation, keeping the momentum and commitment of local authorities on the 2030 Agenda.

Cities leading the transformation: SDGs in action and the new multilateralism

The round table SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities highlighted the importance of promoting sustainable urban development and integrated approaches to urban planning and management.

Returning the famous phrase “Think global, act local” to its origin in urban planning, the round table highlighted the multiple levels at which cities operate, from urban planning policies and action at the local level driving forward positive change, to forging strategic international partnerships to increase global impacts.

Cities in Europe and Central Asia are taking a range of policy actions to promote sustainable urban development and achieve SDG 11. By promoting sustainable transport systems, adopting green building standards, providing affordable housing for the most vulnerable, taking ambitious action on climate change, and introducing smart city initiatives, cities can help create more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban environments.

Below are some policy actions that cities have taken to advance SDG 11:

• In the city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the government has introduced a programme to provide affordable housing for low-income families. The programme involves the construction of new apartment buildings and the renovation of existing buildings to improve living conditions.
  
  
• Albania has launched a number of initiatives to promote urban agriculture and improve access to fresh, healthy food in cities by strengthening rural–urban linkages. These initiatives include the development of community gardens, the promotion of rooftop gardens, and the establishment of more inclusive farmers’ markets operated by the municipality. In addition, Albania is promoting sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the preservation of natural and cultural heritage while also supporting the development of local communities. This includes initiatives to promote local food and cuisine as part of the tourism experience.
  
  
• Albania also is investing in sustainable transport systems, including the development of cycling infrastructure and the promotion of public transport. The government is working to improve the safety and accessibility of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, which can help encourage walking and cycling. Finally, Albania is promoting the development of green buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.
  
  
• Turkmenistan is working to finalize the construction of a new smart city, in Arkadag City, incorporating the principles of the Urban Food Agenda. Among the main innovations developed for Arkadag City include a new public transportation system that uses real-time data to optimize routes; a digital platform for city services that allows residents to access a range of city services online, including paying bills, renewing licenses and reporting issues such as potholes and broken streetlights; smart energy systems that prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy sources; smart waste management, including the deployment of sensors that monitor the fill level of waste bins and alert authorities when they need to be emptied; and smart irrigation systems and water recycling using real-time weather data and soil moisture sensors to optimize water usage and reduce waste.

Empowering rural women: the potential of agritourism and the power of digitalization

Agritourism can help improve economic stability in times of crisis by creating jobs, preserving rural and ecological landscapes, promoting local products and contributing to recreation needs.

In recent years, agritourism has become increasingly associated with digital transformation and the benefits and opportunities that open up because of this connection. However, despite the fact that rural areas in the region are generally well covered by mobile and internet services, the “triple divide” of digital, rural and gender places women working in small farms in rural areas in the most marginalized position when it comes to access to and use of information and communications technologies. Among other things, the divide further contributes to the gender pay gap, with women earning between 60 and 85 percent of men’s salaries and having lower access to decent jobs and off-farm employment. This increases their risk of falling into poverty, especially in older age.

There is a lack of experience-sharing in the region on the ways in which agritourism can act as a driver for local development and how digital tools can better be used to the benefit of rural women.

The side event Rural women, agritourism and digitalization, organized by FAO and the World Trade Organization, brought together experts and interested parties to discuss the benefits of agritourism for rural women and explored how gender-responsive digital tools can be used to promote sustainable agritourism  and agrifood systems development.

The event, held in a world café format, featured experts and practitioners from Albania, Chile, Georgia and Spain. The panelists and participants emphasized the potential of agritourism to empower women economically and to diversify rural household income, even in times of multiple crises, thus strengthening the bond between rural and urban areas.

These inspiring examples highlighted promising practices that have been successfully implemented in various countries to promote gender-responsive agritourism.

For instance, in Albania, rural women have revived the production of local and traditional products, resulting in a significant boost in demand among consumers. In Chile, women have been recognized as custodians of potato biodiversity who play an essential role in sustainable tourism development. In Georgia, the establishment of an agritourism network during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be an effective strategy that expanded to the southern Caucasus. Similarly, in Spain, women-led businesses have played a critical role in strengthening rural tourism infrastructure.  A common thread running through all these case studies us the use of digital platforms to communicate with the public, visitors and tourists.

The development of gender-responsive agritourism requires attention to the needs of rural women, specifically related to digital literacy, hospitality and agribusiness development, underscoring the critical need for public–private partnerships to improve women’s access to financial capital and digital infrastructure in rural areas.

4 April, 2023 Budapest, Hungary