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FIRSTdraft statutes of the participatorycouncil for food security andnutrition in Timor-Leste, andhas supported the council inprioritizing the most relevantfood security and nutritioninterventions outlined in the ZeroHunger National Action Plan.IMPROVING EVIDENCE-BASEDDECISION MAKINGTargeted action to eradicatehunger, food insecurity andmalnutrition requires a commonunderstanding of the root causes,but unreliable, fragmented,insufficient or non-existentinformation can make it difficultto reach a consensus. FAO workshand in hand with governmentsto collect data, feed informationsystems and produce relevantinformation products, such asThe State of Food Security andNutrition in the World (SOFI)and its regional overviews. FAOalso provides support to countriesto monitor ongoing policies,programmes and investmentsand asses their impact on ratesof hunger, food insecurity andmalnutrition.ENHANCING GOVERNMENTS’CAPACITIES TO FINANCE POLICIESAND PROGRAMMESFor countries to translate theirpolicies and investment plans intoaction, increased financial andhuman resources dedicated to foodsecurity and nutrition are needed.FAO supports governmentsin assessing their financingSince its inception in 2015, the FAO/EU FIRST Policy AssistanceFacility has helped countries create an enabling environmentto make investments in sustainable agriculture more effective inending hunger and all forms of malnutrition.Thanks to its network of policy officers embedded in the relevantministries or departments of over 30 countries, FIRST helpsgovernments make the most out of every euro invested.Above all, it acts as a broker between those who want change(governments), those who are willing to support those effortswith investments (like the EU) and those who can provide theirexpertise and technical assistance (like FAO).FIRST has supported countries like Niger in developingagricultural investment plans, which are aligned with thebudgeting of relevant ministries to ensure steady progress towardsachieving food security and nutrition. FIRST has also assistedgovernments in the ECOWAS region in reviewing the policies andneeds of the fisheries sector (with a specific focus on the tradeoffs between commercial fisheries aimed at exports and smallscale fisheries) as well as the challenges and opportunities relatedto developing aquaculture in the region. In Myanmar, FIRST hashelped the government link nutrition-sensitive agriculture withland tenure issues. Several legal changes now support cropdiversification and encourage farmers and other actors to investin different farming activities, from fruits and vegetables toaquaculture.By combining government efforts and priorities, EU funding andsupport and FAO expertise, FIRST has already made a significantcontribution. Representing just 0.1% of the EU’s resources for foodsecurity and nutrition, the Facility adds value with over 4 billioneuros in investments.requirements and helps themto map existing resources andincrease resource mobilization.The Organization also assistscountries in undertaking capacityneeds assessments and developinginstitutional capacities for nationalbudgeting and resource allocation8that can turn policies and plansinto effective action. In 2018,FAO supported over 15 countriesin developing investment plansfor their sectoral strategies,integrating issues of extremepoverty, social protection andnutrition.

SECURITYINSECURITY ANDAND MALNUTRITIONM ALNUTRITIONHUNGER, FOOD INSECURITY AND MALNUTRITIONpeople are chronicallyof undernourished people live in672 million adults suffer fromobesity, while 38.3 millionundernourished todaydeveloping countrieschildren under 5 are overweight1.5 billion people are150.8 million children underDemand for food is projected toaffected by one or more forms of5 are affected by stunting, whileexpand by 60% as the globalfrom wasting9.7 billion by 2050Over 800million98%KB1MgComicronutrient deficiency50.5 million sufferpopulation increases toPARLIAMENTARIANSThe first Parliamentary Alliances and Fronts for food security and nutrition issues originated in Latin America, butthanks to FAO’s support are now present worldwide. These include the Near East Regional Arab ParliamentarianUnion and Africa's Pan-African Parliamentarian Alliance. These neutral platforms, populated by lawmakers fromacross the political spectrum, provide a unique opportunity for debating food security and nutrition issues beyondnational politics. They also raise awareness among parliamentarians about the various legislative instrumentswhich can be used to improve food security and nutrition.Parliamentary Alliances and Fronts against hunger and other legislative initiatives help strengthen legal and policyframeworks at both local and global levels so as to enable a progressive realization of the right to adequate food.In October 2018, FAO, together with the Spanish Parliament, the Spanish Agency for InternationalDevelopment Cooperation and the Latin America and the Caribbean Parliamentary Front against Hunger,organized the First Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition, bringing together around200 parliamentarians from 80 countries to discuss issues of food security and nutrition.9

10 FAOMAKE AGRICULTURE,FORESTRY AND FISHERIESMORE PRODUCTIVE ANDMORE SUSTAINABLE

Food and agriculture standtoday at a crossroads. Lookingback, major improvements inagricultural productivity havebeen recorded over recentdecades to satisfy the fooddemand of a growing globalpopulation. But progress hasoften come with social andenvironmental costs, includingwater scarcity, soil degradation,ecosystem stress, biodiversityloss, decreasing fish stocks andforest cover and high levels ofgreenhouse gas emissions.The productive potential ofour natural resources basehas been damaged in manyplaces around the globe,compromising the future of theplanet.There is compelling evidenceto suggest that building moreefficient and equitable agricultureand food systems and investing inrural development can accelerateachievement of goals and targetsacross the 2030 Agenda. Aneffective transition towardsmore integrated, sustainableagricultural production systemsrequires changing how sectorsare governed. It entails betterdialogue and policy coherencewith all stakeholders, includingthe private sector, civil society,academia and researchinstitutions and developingpartnerships and accountabilityat different levels. Achieving theSustainable Development Goals(SDGs) makes it necessary toalign and enhance investments inagriculture and to prioritize thoseactions that achieve measurableresults on the ground.OUR WORK fromtheory to practiceFAO supports countries to worktowards more sustainable food andagriculture by:The ambition of the 2030 Agendais to shift societies and economiesonto a sustainable developmentpathway while “leaving no onebehind”. Such a significanttransformation can only beachieved through integrated andcoherent actions, decisions andinitiatives that target poverty,inequality, food insecurity andmalnutrition, the degradation ofnatural resources and inclusivegrowth. This transition is beingmainstreamed through supportingcountries to adopt a commonvision for sustainable food andagriculture and translating it intoactions through the following fiveinterconnected principles:Supporting producers in adoptingmore productive, sustainable andclimate-resilient practices1Increase productivity,employment and valueaddition in food systems2Protect and enhancenatural resources3Improve livelihoods andfoster inclusive economicgrowth4Enhance the resilienceof people, communitiesand ecosystems5Adapt governance tonew challengesThis common vision serves as aframework for more coherent andeffective actions in agriculture,forestry and fisheries inimplementing the 2030 Agenda.11 Helping producers test andadopt innovations, practices andproduction systems that increaseproductivity and resilience toclimate change while preservingnatural resources throughparticipatory approaches. Working with institutions(including farmer's organizations,extension services, local NGOs,private companies etc.) toenhance capacities to promotethe adoption of more integrated,sustainable and resilientproduction systems.Promoting the transition to sustainableand climate-resilient agricultural policiesand governance mechanisms Working with countries to reviewand strengthen their policies,investment strategies andprogrammes and helping alignthem in support of implementingthe 2030 Agenda and the ParisClimate Agreement. Helping countries to strengthencross-sectoral dialogue, promotingthe transition to sustainable andclimate-resilient agriculture anda stronger role of agriculture,forestry and fisheries in nationalsustainable development.Providing knowledge and information forevidence-based decision-making Gathering and sharinginformation and knowledgeneeded to support the transitionto productive, sustainable andclimate-resilient agriculture.

OUR PRIORITIES THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF FAO Working with public and privateinstitutions to strengthencapacities to collect and analyzedata and produce evidence forinformed decision-making on themanagement of natural resourcesacross agriculture, forestry andfisheries sectors.Supporting countries in implementingpolicies and international treaties Working with public and privateinstitutions to strengthennational capacities in developingand implementing legal andinstitutional frameworks andincentive mechanisms neededfor the transition to sustainableand climate-resilient agriculture,forestry and fisheries. Supporting countries to implementinternational instruments andpartnerships that promoteproductive, sustainable andclimate-resilient agriculture. FAOAREAS OF ACTION TOENSURE PRACTICE CHANGEIn the quest for sustainableproduction models, FAO has ledthe development of cross-sectoralGlobal Knowledge Products,a range of tools designed toprovide global solutions insustainable agriculture throughinterdisciplinary participation.These guide efforts to makeagriculture, forestry and fisheriesproductive and more sustainable:1. Strengthening sustainable foodand agriculture (SFA) in national SDGimplementationThe Progress toward SustainableAgriculture Report is envisaged toassist countries in improving theplanning and implementation ofpractices, approaches, policies andgovernance mechanisms whichcontribute to more sustainableagriculture. The report, the firstsource of regularly-publishedinformation on trends acrossmultiple dimensions at national,regional and global levels, willalso offer an analytical approachof the main drivers of sustainableagriculture and provide casestudies to present the state ofsustainable agriculture worldwide.2. Making sustainable and innovativepractices and technologies work forsmallholder farmersThe Global Farmer Field Schools (FFS)Platform provides tools to improveFFS quality, and where appropriate,support further inclusion of theFFS approach towards sustainableand resilient agriculture. It aimsto collect, develop and analyzeinformation that is relevant for theglobal community.3. Supporting Nationally DeterminedContributions (NDCs) and Climate SmartAgriculture (CSA) implementationThe Nationally DeterminedContributions implementation supportfacilitates information sharingdedicated to NDC implementationin the agricultural sector. The overallgoal is to support member countriesin their efforts to implement NDCsand achieve SDGs by enhancingtheir climate change capacity in theagriculture sector, implementingclimate smart policies and projects.4. Promoting agroecologyand biodiversityThe Agroecology Knowledge Hub12contains tools, analyticalframework, protocols and datacollection methods to supportinformed decision-making. Itassists researchers and analysts inassessing the multi-dimensionalimpacts of agroecology productionsystems, consolidating informationand providing a guidanceframework for reviewing policyoptions for agroecology. TheBiodiversity Mainstreaming Platformfacilitates adoption of goodpractices and policies that supportbiodiversity conservation andresilience of production systems,with an integrated landscape/seascape approach that reducespressure on natural habitats andspecies.5. Advancing landscape andterritorial approachesThe Integrated Management andRestoration of Landscapes andSeascapes platform uses a crosssectoral approach, integratingexisting knowledge products andongoing technical work related tomanagement of landscapes andseascapes, territorial developmentand the restoration of degradedecosystems. It aims to provide a userfriendly database of these resources.6. Coping with water scarcityin agricultureThe Water in Agriculture and FoodSystems platform provides tools andapproaches for better managementof water in agriculture and foodsystems, offering an integratedapproach to water managementthrough enhanced waterproductivity, sustainable fisheries,national infrastructure developmentand alternative water sources.

M AKE AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES MORE PRODUCTIVE AND MORE SUSTAINABLEMAINSTREAMING SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTUREThe transformation of food and agricultural systems will not happen by itself.Mainstreaming sustainable food and agriculture into national developmentstrategies and action plans requires setting up a process and a functioninginstitutional structure. While not intended as a standard, Transforming foodand agriculture to achieve the SDGs offers decision-makers one possible routetowards SDG implementation.Engage sustainablefood and agriculturewith the broader SDGprocess in the countryMobilizekey playersBUILDINGPOLITICALMOMENTUMRaise awareness of theSDGs and their implicationson food and agricultureAddresscontentiouschallenges andcontradictoryinterestsEngagestakeholdersin crosssectoral andmultidisciplinarydialogue onSDGsDevelop an action plantowards sustainable foodand agricultureBuild capacity andtake action at alllevelsAmend budgetframeworksand mobilizefunding forimplementationStrengthen statistical capacityon data related to SDGsand SFAMobilize private sector andcivil society and enhancepartnershipsDevelop a joint visionon sustainable food andagricultureBUILDINGA JOINT VISION ANDACTION PLANIntegrate SDGs in policies,programmes and action plansTRANSLATING VISIONINTO ACTIONTO ACCELERATE CHANGEThe 20 interconnected actions outlined in Transforming food and agriculture to achieve the SDGs can helpdecision-makers map strategies to achieve Zero Hunger and the SDGs that relate to food and agriculture,including fostering more resilient livelihoods and higher productivity and incomes for rural smallholders.Rural investment, stronger farmers' co-operatives, public partnerships, accessible policy debates and bettercoordination across ministries, all with a focus on people, their livelihoods and the environment, are key aspectsof delivering necessary and transformative change.Each action is identified by its contribution to SDG goals and relates to key components of the development agenda.In particular, they focus on helping smallholders gain access to and benefit from markets; boosting diversification,knowledge and resilience; safeguarding natural resources including soil health, biodiversity and water; reducing foodloss and waste, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable consumption; assuring tenure rights and adequatesocial protections; addressing and adapting to climate change; and improving governance systems.13

14 FAO/Giulio NapolitanoREDUCERURALPOVERTY

Poverty remains one of thebiggest obstacles to humandevelopment and economicgrowth. Although progresshas been made in reducingpoverty globally, about 736million people continue tolive in extreme poverty andinequalities are still pervasive.About 80 percent of theworld’s poorest live in ruralareas, depend on agriculturefor their livelihoods andare also amongst the mostlikely to be food insecure andmalnourished. Yet, withoutaccess to resources, services,technologies, markets andeconomic opportunities, theirproductivity and incomeremain low.UN member countries havecommitted to eradicating extremepoverty and hunger for peopleeverywhere by 2030. FAO helpscountries develop and implementevidence-based pro-poor policies,strategies and programmesthat promote inclusive growthand sustainable livelihoods,income diversification, decentemployment, access to socialprotection and empowerment ofpeople in agriculture and in ruralareas.PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTYIn low-income countriesin particular, investing inagriculture reduces poverty moredirectly than investing in othersectors, as it offers the mostdirect route for rural people tobenefit from land and labour– their main assets. However,because the poor often need toengage in multiple economicactivities, reducing rural povertyrequires a vision of ruraltransformation that includes aneconomic diversification thatcan generate jobs and empowerpeople in agriculture andbeyond.Recognizing the diversespectrum of poor ruralhouseholds, FAO proposesa broad approach withdifferentiated strategies to helpthe rural poor and extremepoor move to a higher labourstatus and productivity andreach decent standards of livingthrough their livelihoods.This multi-sectoral approachaims to address the social,economic, political and dailychallenges that poor rural peopleface by: Increasing access to naturalresources and other assets;ensuring supportive extensionand information systems toimprove their income andcapacity to manage risks; andlinking small-scale agricultureto markets and food systems,while also ensuring foodsecurity. Mobilizing investments tocreate decent employmentopportunities for the ruralpoor as well as productiveenterprises in agriculture andin the nonfarm economy. Building and scaling-up socialprotection systems. Strengthening localgovernments and empoweringthe rural poor and theirorganizations to benefit fromthe development process.15OUR WORK fromtheory to practiceEMPOWERING RURAL PEOPLEAND IMPROVING ACCESS TOPRODUCTIVE RESOURCES,SERVICES, MARKETS ANDTECHNOLOGIESFAO helps countries betterengage poor rural households inagriculture to increase their incomegeneration capacity. This includessupporting the design of propoor development

4 OUR PRIORITIES THE FAO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK OF FAO To help accomplish our Strategic Objectives, FAO works through five Strategic Programmes leveraging our core functions to achieve concrete results.The Organization's technical knowledge and expertise underpins everything we do, while fully integrating our cross-cutting themes of gender, governance, nutrition and .