Trade

Wednesday, 26th July, 10:30-11:30

Trade is an integral part of our agrifood systems. The event's central message is the importance of a comprehensive approach that integrates trade, agriculture, nutrition, and health holistically. The primary goal is to identify priority actions, specifically in relation to the overall connection between agrifood systems and trade, in order to maximize its contributions to food security and nutrition while minimizing its potential negative effects. Additionally, the session will emphasize how trade must be a central component of the necessary transformation of agrifood systems and identify the policies, regulations, and investments that must be implemented.

Since 1995, the worldwide food and agriculture market has grown significantly. While all countries have increased their participation in the global market, emerging economies and developing nations now play a more significant role. Trade, which was initially seen as a purely economic transaction, is now regarded as a vital tool for achieving economic, social, and environmental goals. The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 highlighted how a strong and interconnected global agrifood system could help countries overcome unprecedented challenges.

The session will focus on the following questions:

How can trade contribute to achieving sustainability and highlight the positive role it can play in the transformation pathways of the agrifood systems?
Additionally, what steps can be taken regarding policies, regulations, and investments to use trade to transform agrifood systems?

The session will support the identification of priority actions, primarily with regard to the overall linkages between agrifood systems and trade, to ensure that its contributions to food security and nutrition are maximized while its potential negative impacts are minimized. In addition, it will identify actions that must be undertaken regarding policies, regulations and investments. The tangible outcome of the event will feed into the Plenary Session on "Mobilizing means of implementation for food systems transformation."