The KC-FNS will provide a dedicated platform for inter-service collaboration and knowledge sharing on food and nutrition security in food insecure countries.

The launch event, which will be moderated by Vladimir SUCHA with opening remarks from three European Commissioners and one African Union Commissioner (tbc, see agenda attached and below), is open to all staff in the Commission and United Nations Rome-base agencies.

All EC colleagues are welcome to attend!

• Please register for the event by sending an email to EC-kcfns@ec.europa.eu

This Knowledge Centre aims to improve actions to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition in food insecure third countries. It will, on one hand, gather, synthetise and facilitate access to Commission’s knowledge regarding food and nutrition security. It will also make the latest innovative solutions and research insights available for a more efficient action.

14:00 - 14:30          Welcome coffee and registration

14:30 - 16:10          High level opening session

Moderator: Vladimir SUCHA, Director General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

14:30 - 15:40          Opening remarks

Tibor NAVRACSICS, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, European Commission

Christos STYLIANIDES, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management

Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union - tbc

Phil HOGAN, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission

Video message by Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

15:40 – 16:10          Launch of the European Commission's Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security - Remarks by

Giovanni DE SANTI, Director, Sustainable Resources Directorate, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

Carla MONTESI, Director, Planet and Prosperity Directorate, DG International Cooperation and Development, European Commission

16:10 – 16:30          Coffee Break

16:30 - 17:50           Panel discussion: Towards better knowledge management on Food and Nutrition Security

Moderator:  Leonard MIZZI, Head of Unit Rural Development, Food Security, Nutrition,  DG International Cooperation and Development, European Commission

Keynote introduction by Patrick Caron, President of the High Level Panel of Experts of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS)

Panel discussion

Franz Fischler, President, European Forum Alpbach, Vienna

Wolfgang BURTSCHER, Deputy Director General, DG Research, Science and Innovation

Roberto RIDOLFI, Special Advisor on strategy and financing development for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Sara Savastano, Director, United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Enrico Pausilli, Deputy Director, United Nations World Food Programme, Belgium

17:50 - 18:00           Closing session

Vladimir SUCHA, Director General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

18:00   Networking Cocktail