The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) inaugurated the third Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.The Hand-in-Hand Initiative was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2019.Objective: It aims to help countries and regions where poverty, hunger and inequalities are most severe. The initiative seeks to eradicate poverty, end hunger, and reduce inequalities through the transformation of agri-food systems.
Goal: The initiative aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:
- SDG 1: Eradicate poverty,
- SDG 2: Eradicate hunger and malnutrition,
- SDG 10: Reduce inequalities.
Features
- Priority Sector: The initiative focuses on countries and regions where:
- Poverty and hunger are most severe.
- There are difficulties due to natural or man-made crises.
- National capacities are limited.
- Approach: This initiative uses geospatial, biophysical and socio-economic data to identify areas where the transformation of the agri-food system can be most helpful in reducing poverty and hunger.
Areas of intervention
- Development of value chains for priority commodities.
- Creation of agro-industries and water management systems.
- Promoting digital services and precision agriculture.
- Member countries: Currently 72 countries have joined this initiative.
Food and Agriculture Organization
- FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to end hunger and improve food security.
- Establishment: FAO was established in October 1945.
- Headquarters: The headquarters of FAO is located in Rome, Italy.
- Members: It currently has 194 member countries and the European Union (member organization).
Mandate: The mission of FAO is to
- Improve nutrition.
- Increase agricultural productivity.
- Raise the standard of living of rural populations.
- Contribute to global economic growth.
Sustainable Development Goals
- In 2015, all member countries of the United Nations adopted the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. It aims to ensure long-term peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
- Number of SDGs: It has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which set new standards of development for countries around the world under a global partnership.
- Major goals: It is a call for collective action to tackle poverty, hunger, health, education, clean water, clean energy, economic growth and climate change.