Between 27 and 29 May, the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil took part in the 5th Conference of the Sustainable Food Systems Programme of the One Planet Network, held in Brasilia. The event aimed to strengthen convergence between climate, biodiversity and food systems policies.
As well as taking part in the workshops and discussions on food systems, the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil supported the organisation of the event, in particular providing logistical support to the Ministry of Social Development and Fight against Hunger (MDS), the main organiser of the event on the Brazilian side.
The MDS and the Centre of Excellence are partners in international cooperation for the development of healthy and sustainable food systems, such as the InovaSan Project, according to Eliene Sousa, nutritionist and Project Officer at the Centre of Excellence.
‘We work directly with this theme within the framework of our joint project, since its central objective is to promote the exchange of experiences in food and nutritional security between countries in the global south,’ she said.
The conference comes ahead of two global milestones planned for 2025: the United Nations Food Systems Stocktaking Moment and COP30, which will be held in Belém (PA) in November.
Attended by representatives of governments, international organisations, civil society and universities, the event sought to highlight advances and gaps in national food trajectories, promote concrete solutions and inspire high-level negotiations.
During the panel on school feeding, the National Education Development Fund (FNDE), a partner of the Centre of Excellence, reinforced the role of public procurement – such as the model practised by Brazil’s National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) – in building more resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems.
The Brazilian experience was highlighted as a benchmark for integrated public policy, capable of aligning the objectives of food security, nutrition and local agricultural development.
In addition to Eliene Sousa, the WFP Centre of Excellence was also represented by Maria Giulia Senesi, Programme Officer, and both had the opportunity to participate in the thematic sessions, workshops and multilateral interactions throughout the conference.