Committee on World Food Security side event: "Connecting social protection, food and health systems for greater impact on poverty, food security and nutrition; opportunities and challenges "

This side event will explore the critical intersection of social protection, health, and food systems in addressing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition through the promotion of healthy diets and system-wide synergies, especially in fragile and least-developed contexts.

Despite progress in national social protection systems, hunger and malnutrition remain persistent, underscoring the need for greater integration between food, health, and social safety nets. The session will highlight practical examples and evidence of how these synergies can improve nutrition, particularly for women and children, and boost human capital accumulation for economic development. With a focus on country-specific challenges and solutions, participants will discuss strategies to scale up efforts, enhance workforce skills, and ensure systems are adaptable to shocks.

As we approach the 2025 World Social Summit, this event will call for unified global action to place food security and nutrition at the heart of social protection, advancing the SDGs and sustainable development for all.

Agenda

• 13:30 - Opening Remarks: Welcome address by FAO. Mr. Rodrigo Rivera, Social protection specialist, Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, FAO

• 13:32 - Setting the Stage: Reflections on last year's session and outlining the objectives for this side event.
  Ms. Giulia Baldi, Head of the Social Protection Unit, School Meals and Social Protection Service, WFP.

• 13:35 - Using Evidence to Inform Policies and Practice: Contributions to linking social protection, food, and health systems. Dr. Saskia de Pee, Senior Nutrition Advisor at the Nutrition Service, WFP; Ms. Chloe Angood, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF; Prof. Nicholas Nisbett, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies.

• 13:50 - Panel Discussion: National perspectives from government representatives addressing key guiding questions. Mr. Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes, Vice-Prime Minister of Timor-Leste; Dr. Naveed Akbar, Director General of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan; Dr. Ruy López Ridaura, Director General of Health Promotion, Mexico.

• 14:20 - Country-led Exchange Platforms: An introduction to multilateral efforts linking social protection with food security.
  Global Task Force (GTF) on Social Protection for Nutrition, Human Capital and Local Economic Development,  H.E. José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste (Video Statement); G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, Mr. Renato Domith Godinho, Head of the Special Advisory for International Affairs, Brazil.

• 14:30 - Questions and Answers: Open Q&A session with the audience.

• 14:40 - Wrap-Up: Closing reflections by the United Kingdom. Mr. Sandy McCleery, Food and Agriculture Policy Adviser, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.

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