42nd Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 42)
Making a Difference in Food Security and Nutrition

On Wednesday, plenary continued discussions on the Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises, which was endorsed by acclamation. A dialogue session was held on national multi-stakeholder approaches and experiences to improve nutrition, moderated by David Nabarro, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Food Security and Nutrition.

In her keynote, Amb. Mary Mubi, Senior Principal Director in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Zimbabwe, presented an overview of her country’s enabling environment with regard to a multi-stakeholder approach to nutrition. She highlighted how a “defined results framework” can improve multi-sectoral collaboration to achieve key benchmarks; and that monitoring systems need to enable reality checks and ensure accountability to people on the ground. She called for an integrated approach, and stressed that: stakeholder platforms can produce results only if power asymmetries are addressed; community knowledge needs to be taken into account and shared using evidence-based dialogue; and a people-centered approach can empower citizens and encourage community-based initiatives. The ensuing discussion focused on, among other issues: encouraging local ownership and leadership; private sector involvement; gender issues; and education on nutrition.

Plenary then adopted the Multi-year Programme of Work for 2016-2017 and a revised guidance note for the selection of CFS activities; and a set of recommendations related to the findings of the CFS effectiveness survey and establishment of a framework for monitoring CFS decisions and recommendations.

Participants discussed the role of CFS in advancing nutrition and agreed that CFS should: support practical mainstreaming of nutrition; focus on adding value through cooperation; involve organizations with mandates encompassing nutrition in the CFS advisory group; and serve as forum to share lessons learned. A forthcoming Open-ended Working Group on nutrition will consider these suggestions.

Plenary then adopted by acclamation the recommendations on water for food security and nutrition, agreed upon by a Friends of the Rapporteur group following all-night negotiations.