UN Food Systems Pre-Summit
Affiliated Session

Small in size, big in numbers:
Aquatic small-scale food producers' contribution to the SDGs

Amplifying the role and contributions of small-scale aquatic food producers in line with the Summit's Action Track 4.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021
19:30 – 20:20 (CEST)

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Aquatic foods are one of the fastest-growing food sectors and one of the most widely traded food commodities. They support over 800 million people who depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, with women playing a major role across aquatic food value chains. The majority of aquatic food actors are small-scale and live primarily in low and middle-income countries.  Aquatic foods from small-scale producers are particularly important for livelihoods of vulnerable populations that are landlocked, living on small islands, or in conflict zones, and for vulnerable groups, such as indigenous populations, youth, women, and rural and urban poor. 

We invite you to join an exciting pre-summit discussion on how we can strengthen and enhance aquatic foods for equitable livelihoods – and securing the provision and distribution of nutritious and sustainable food for all. During the session, a panel of experts from FAO, representatives of Spain, Peru, and other partners will be highlighting the opportunities for equitable aquatic food systems to inform the UN Food Systems Summit as well as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2022.

A few of the discussion topics and anticipated outcomes of this session include:

• The diversity of small-scale aquatic food production systems and the immense value they provide in supporting equitable livelihoods, nourishing the planet, and sustainable development.
• Small-scale aquatic food systems are included in the agenda, discussions, and outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit.
• Opportunities to leverage synergies between the UN Food Systems Summit and the celebrations of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 are identified and related partnerships and commitments initiated or strengthened.