Press release
Minister Hackett participates in a number of events at the World Food Forum 2023
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, today concluded a varied programme of engagements in Rome, centring around the World Food Forum 2023. Minister Hackett accompanied President Michael D. Higgins this week at several multi-lateral events with the United Nations (U.N) Rome based agencies, and at bilateral engagements with the Italian Republic and the Holy See.
Reflecting on her engagements at the World Food Forum, Minister Hackett said:
“Hunger, climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked, are global in nature, and are of enormous consequence both for this generation and the next. The World Food Forum is a critically important event, as it brings together experts from right across the globe, with a focus on youth engagement, to discuss how we can transform food systems to address these challenges.”
In addition to attending meetings with the heads of the three Rome-based U.N food agencies this week – the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development – Minister Hackett spoke at a number of events during the course of the World Food Forum.
Minister Hackett continued:
“Youth engagement in sustainable agricultural production will be fundamental to whether we succeed in combating climate change and food insecurity, and in protecting our natural environment. My department funded 91 youth delegates from 46 developing countries to attend this year’s World Food Forum, including seven young Irish people from the Irish agri-food sector, and I think their participation added hugely to the week. I spoke at an event featuring a panel discussion between our Irish youth delegation and their Kenyan counterparts, and it’s clear that the next generation is engaged and wants to play a part in shaping food policy, both nationally and internationally.”
Minister Hackett delivered the keynote address at a FAO Science and Innovation Forum event on the bioeconomy, where she highlighted the publication this week of Ireland’s national Bioeconomy Action Plan for the period 2023-2025. The Minister added:
"The potential of the bioeconomy to be a real gamechanger cannot be overstated: if we get this right, we will create new economic opportunities for farmers and new employment in rural areas. We will be in a position to offer consumers more sustainable, bio-based products instead of products made from fossil fuels. Mobilising the bioeconomy will mean re-using wastes and side streams in a circular, regenerative way, and will really help us to reduce emissions and restore biodiversity."
As part of her FAO engagements, Minister Hackett also commemorated the links between Ireland and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, who sent money to the Irish people in 1847 to buy food and feed for livestock during the Great Famine. Minister Hackett announced at the World Food Forum that Ireland will join the UN FAO Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples.
Minister Hackett concluded her visit with an engagement with the Bord Bia office in Italy to discuss the position of Irish agri-food products in the Italian market and the opportunities for growing this trade, in particular organic products.
The Minister also attended the closing ceremony of the World Food Forum this afternoon where President Higgins delivered the keynote address.
The World Food Forum began on World Food Day, Monday 16 October 2023, at the headquarters of the U.N Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, and concludes today, Friday 20 October 2023. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine leads Ireland’s engagement with FAO.
Photo caption:
Speaking at the World Food Forum in Rome were: (L-R) Teresa Cadogan, Ireland Youth Delegation Lead, Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett and Noel Banville, representing U.C.D and the Irish Farmers Association.
FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Their goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
World Food Forum:
The World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, youth-led global network of partners facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It aims to spark a global movement that empowers young people everywhere to actively shape agrifood systems to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a better food future for all.
The WFF serves as the premier global forum to harness the passion and power of youth to identify solutions and incite positive action for agrifood systems. It aligns with the 2021 United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit , acts as major youth platform in global food governance, and serves as a global think tank that fosters youth-led solutions in innovation, science and technology. The WFF aims to support and grow youth initiatives in the agrifood sector in line with global youth policy recommendations, focusing in 2023 on the theme, “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action.”
World Food Forum https://www.world-food-form.org/en