There is a broad consensus that agroecology can be instrumental in achieving a wide range of policy, environmental and food security targets, from sustainability related goals to the reduction of rural poverty.

Building on the 1st International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition, held in Rome in 2014, and the subsequent regional seminars organized in 2015 and 2016, FAO will host the 2nd International Symposium on Agroecology: Scaling Up agroecology to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  from 3-5 April 2018 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Registration is here: http://www.fao.org/partnerships/details-events/en/c/1073831/

This second symposium aim at moving agroecology from dialogue to activities at the regional and country level by providing an opportunity for sharing ideas and experiences, while discussing policies and actions that can support agroecology in achieving the SDGs and accompany the decade of Family Farming.

The Symposium will take a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approach. About 400 participants are expected to attend, from policy-makers and governments, agroecology practitioners and civil society representatives, to members from academia and research, the private sector and representatives from the regional meetings.

FAO, recognizing that it is necessary to play a greater role in assisting local communities in the development of their agricultural innovation system strategies, will continue build partnership with platforms like GFAR. Member countries have recommended that FAO carry out comprehensive analysis and needs assessments in partnership with farmers, academia, private sector, research, extension institutions and other relevant stakeholders, and GFAR is pleased to bring in the rich knowledge and expertise of its multi-sectoral partners for this task. 

On Day 2 of the Symposium, GFAR Vice-Chair Raffaele Maiorano will speak about how we can co-create knowledge and innovation in agri-food systems, in an open dialogue with the direct input of farmers. On Day 3, GFAR Chair Bongiwe Njobe will speak about the value of multistakeholder dialogue and engagement in scaling-up agroecology in support of the SDGs.