The role of social protection in fragile and food crisis settings

Social protection is widely recognised as a key tool for poverty reduction and has a central role in both preventing and responding to global food insecurity. Core social protection provision is vital for building the resilience of populations to shocks, and where social protection systems are in place, shock-responsive mechanisms can play a vital role in scaling-up in response to rising needs. Yet, coverage of social protection is especially low in fragile and conflict contexts.

The briefing will follow up on the conversation, issues and opportunities raised at the High-Level Breakfast on “the Role of Social Protection Supporting Food Security Outcomes in Fragile and Conflict Settings” convened by the UK Representation to the UN agencies in Rome and FAO on World Food Day, 16 October 2024. It will focus on a number of multilateral initiatives that are relevant to this agenda and represent a key opportunity to make progress.

Objectives

• To stimulate a discussion among the Geneva Permanent Missions and international Geneva-based organizations regarding the need to leverage the role of social protection in addressing the root causes of chronic food insecurity, including how to better prevent and manage food crises;
• To offer a platform to discuss value for money investments in social protection;
• To contribute to building awareness of the vision and the contribution of key global initiatives on the topic, including: the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, and the Global Network Against Food Crises.

Speakers

• Andrew Jackson,  Ambassador to the UN Economic Agencies and Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the UN in Geneva
• Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director General of FAO
• Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the UN in Geneva (TBC)
• Mia Seppo, Assistant Director General Jobs and Social Protection, ILO
• Fabio Veras Soares, Researcher at the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Development
• Leonardo Mizzi, Head of Unit, Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries, EC, Directorate-General International Partnerships (DG-INTPA)

Moderated by: Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO Liaison Office in Geneva

 

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