The global food system faces many complex challenges, including hunger, malnutrition and diet related diseases, an ever-growing global population that needs sufficient and healthy food, the need to reduce food loss and waste, the depletion of natural resources and effects of climate change, as well as the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants are fundamental, essential and indispensable foods eaten by people around the world, specially in Asia, as part of healthy diets, cultural heritage and culinary tradition. Small-scale artisanal fishers, fish farmers and fish workers produce a large portion of this food, and they hold enormous potential to promote transformative changes in how, by whom and for whom fish and fishery products are produced, processed and distributed. Supporting these communities is essential towards achieving Blue Transformation through better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.
In recognition of the importance of this sector, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA 2022), with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as lead agency. The IYAFA 2022 provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture for our food systems, livelihoods, culture and the environment.
Now that the year has come to an end, the Department of Fisheries in Thailand, jointly with the Too Big To Ignore Partnership (TBTI Global), INFOFISH and with the technical support of FAO, are organizing a hybrid event to formally close the celebration of the IYAFA 2022 in Asia. The event will review IYAFA 2022 activities, and share the key recommendations and commitments for ongoing and future support to artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in the region.
More information about the speakers and agenda here.
Register here
(Register by February 24, 2023)
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