Cooperative Agreement to Support the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (U01)

Description

The awardee will research food safety systems in Member Nations to determine ways of addressing FDA's interest in strengthening food safety systems globally. Using the results of this research, examples of the types of food safety projects of interest to FDA that could also be undertaken by the FAO include the following: development of policy support tools to guide planning and investment in national food control systems; provision of technical advice for the development and improvement of integrated and modern food control systems; enhancement of effective participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other international fora; addressing emerging food safety and nutrition issues; reinforcing innovation in food control oversight; and development of technical tools and guides related to various technical and managerial aspect of food control and nutrition. With an increasingly diverse and complex global food supply, FDA's interest is to strengthen food safety systems globally to prevent food safety problems rather than merely reacting to problems after they occur. FDA recognizes that it can't do this alone. By leveraging with other member countries and partnering with the FAO, the FDA can broaden the reach of food safety and nutrition global efforts. An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 194 Member Nations, two (2) associate members and one (1) member organization (the European Union). Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. FAO's activities comprise four main areas: Putting information within reach: FAO serves as a knowledge network. They use the expertise of their staff - agronomists, foresters, fisheries and livestock specialists, nutritionists, social scientists, economists, statisticians and other professionals - to research and disseminate data that aid country development. Sharing policy expertise: FAO lends its years of experience to member countries in devising agricultural policy, support planning, drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals. Providing a meeting place for nations: As a neutral forum, experts from around the globe convene at headquarters or in field offices to forge agreements on major food and agriculture issues. Bringing knowledge to the field: FAO provides the technical know-how and mobilizes and manages millions of dollars provided by industrialized countries, development banks and other sources to make sure the projects achieve their goals. Capacity Development is a core function highlighted in FAO's strategic framework. Member Countries place strong emphasis on FAO researching and enhancing delivery in this area and they have a Corporate Strategy on Capacity Development. The Strategy was developed in consultation with Member Countries and all FAO units worldwide. Taking a corporate approach to Capacity Development allows FAO to learn from its collective efforts and to support Member Countries in their own Capacity Development activities. The FAO Capacity Development framework will guide FAO staff and their partners in analyzing capacities in Member Countries and identifying the appropriate interventions(s) for fostering sustainable development. FAO supports member countries in developing their capacities to effectively manage food safety and quality as a key step to safeguarding the health and well-being of people as well as to accessing domestic, regional and international markets. Capacity Development in Food Safety and Quality is the process through which relevant stakeholders from farm to table (including government agencies, food enterprises, academia and consumers) are able to better perform their functions and to assume their responsibilities in ensuring safety and quality of food for domestic consumption and export. For the food Safety and Quality Unit within FAO, its overall goal is to improve systems of food safety and quality management, based on scientific principles, that lead to reduced foodborne illness and support fair and transparent trade thereby contributing to economic development, improved livelihoods and food security. This unit: 1 - Provides independent scientific advice on food safety and nutrition which serves as the basis for international food standards. 2 - Develops institutional and individual capacities for food control and food safety management in many countries, including the management of food safety emergencies. 3 - Supports process for the development of food safety policy frameworks. 4 - Facilitates global access to information and encourages and supports the development of food safety/quality networks. The Nutrition and Food Systems Division within FAO ensures that agricultural development is people-centered and leads to the improved access, availability and consumption of foods for better nutrition. This unit: 1 - Supports research and dissemination of evidence about food systems and food system innovations that have proven positive impact on nutrition and health. 2 -Supports decision-makers in government and development partners to develop policies, legal framework and programmes to make food systems more nutrition-and health-focused and implement related food-systems innovations at scale. 3 - Improves consumer knowledge and awareness about health diets. 4 - Develops organizational and human resources capacities for the implementation of nutrition-sensitive food systems changes. 5 - Improves stakeholder coordination and food systems governance to bring all relevant food systems stakeholders together in an inclusive and evidence-based dialogue around a common nutrition agenda. 6 - Leverages regional policies and platforms to strengthen and scale up country level efforts.

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