SEED FUNDING JOINT PROGRAMMES

Cambodia

Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient

SDG 2 Zero Hunger Logo

PROJECT TITLE	Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient
Context	Cambodia’s National Pathway is the outcome of an extensive consultation process, involving more than 2,000 people throughout thirty dialogues, which identifies four priority areas, namely healthy diets for all, empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable groups, resilient livelihoods and food systems, inclusive governance. Acknowledging the risks posed by climate change to hard won development gains and as a co-founder of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, Cambodia is prioritizing the integration of climate change and food systems transformation, building coherence across the agendas. The Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, the government agency coordinating food security and nutrition initiatives in Cambodia, is leading collaborative efforts to translate national aspirations into concrete action.
PUNOs	FAO, WFP, UNICEF
Contribution to SDGs	SDG 2 Zero Hunger
Contribution to other SDG transitions	Climate, biodiversity, pollution
Duration	August 2024 – July 2025
Expected financial leverage	$3 million
Alignment with SG Call to Action	Policy integration; Food systems governance; Inclusive and participatory design; Private sector engagement
Outcomes	The Joint Programme fosters an enabling environment for food systems transformation by enhancing national capacities and policy frameworks, identifying opportunities to unlock financial streams, and strengthening advocacy efforts for food systems transformation. The JP provides crucial support to the alignment of the climate and food agendas, accelerating progress towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Partners	Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) will be the main government counterpart and will coordinate the government activities in conjunction with other key Ministries, including: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment Ministry of Economy and Finance Ministry of Commerce Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry of Rural Development Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Outputs	Update the Food Systems Roadmap (National Pathway) to identify key transformative areas in different sub-sectors and strengthen its alignment to climate policy frameworks. Develop an action plan and a financing strategy for the Roadmap. Carry out a costing exercise for the Roadmap, complementing the ongoing formulation of the 3rd National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2024-2028). Facilitate inclusive multi-stakeholder consultations with line ministries, local actors, private sector, youth and women groups. Design and implement advocacy and communication strategies and tools to raise awareness among decision-makers and mobilize resources from the government, development partners, IFIs, and the private sectors.

National pathway operationalization Policy coherence Inclusive dialogues Advocacy Unlocking finance Food-climate convergence

UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and Government of Germany Collaborate to Build the Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders

Funding agreement signed to empower emerging leaders in developing countries to help transform food systems for a sustainable future.

Pictured: Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany and Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the signing ceremony of a new funding agreement for a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub initiative

©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

27/06/2023

Rome, 27 June 2023 –The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub has signed a funding agreement with the Government of Germany in support of a new project, titled "Building the Next Generation of Food Systems Leadership in Developing Countries."

This pioneering initiative, scheduled to run until 2025, marks a new milestone within the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, enabling a scale-up of actions to empower emerging leaders in developing countries with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the ever-increasing complex challenges of transforming food systems and advancing sustainable solutions.

The signing ceremony, attended by Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany, Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Ms Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, took place on 26 June 2023, at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

Speaking at the event, FAO Deputy Director-General Thomas said: “This project represents the shared vision of the Hub and Germany to empower the next generation of leaders who will drive the transformative change needed to build more efficient, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.”

“By investing in the development of young leaders from developing countries, we are strengthening their capacity to address the multifaceted challenges facing agrifood systems around the world and allowing them to thrive. We are investing in our future,” he added.

State Secretary Flasbarth emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating: "Germany is proud to support partner countries in building resilient and sustainable food systems via the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. By investing in young leaders in developing countries we can unlock the potential for positive change and improve the livelihoods of millions."