Background
Food security and nutrition security, particularly in low-income countries, continue to face significant challenges, from volatile  food prices, climate change-driven shocks, and conflict to pandemics and economic downturns. A number of research efforts  exist around the world to allow near-real- time monitoring of these and other risk factors that drive food crises. This work  includes monitoring production-related information, climate and conflict data, price information, and other factors in order to  dentify the likelihood of acute food insecurity and help policy makers enact timely policy responses. On May 8, the Food  Security Portal will host a webinar on these important food crisis risk monitoring efforts. The event will highlight priority research and policy questions, identify gaps in existing monitoring efforts, and pinpoint opportunities for collaboration to inform policy. We invite researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders interested in this topic to attend this virtual event in order increase collaboration among research teams and expand the scope and reach of food crisis risk monitoring efforts.

Discussion questions:

• What have been the most critical advances on the remote measurement of productivity and other food crisis risk factors, and what advances do you see moving forward?
• What constraints exist and are likely to continue in the provision of near-real-time monitoring of food crises?
• What opportunities exist for collaboration among institutions and research groups?

Webinar set-up:
Moderator: Rob Vos, Director, Markets, Trade and Institutions Division, IFPRI
Panelists:

• Arif Husain (WFP VAM and linked to IPC)
• Laura Glaeser (FEWS NET)
• Mario Zappacosta (FAO Global Information and Early Warning System - GIEWS)
• Bo Andree (World Bank)
• Daniel Maxwell (Tufts University)
• Chris Barrett (Cornell University)
• Kathy Baylis (University of Illinois)
• David Laborde (IFPRI)

Please register for “Near-Real-Time Monitoring of Food Crisis Risk Factors: State of Knowledge and Future Prospects" on 8 May 2020 at 9:00 EDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3316439736760349708

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The FSN Forum is supporting in the outreach of this webinar. The Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) is an open online platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue on food security and nutrition facilitated by FAO’s Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA). By offering online discussions and building communities of experts for thematic and regional consultation processes, the FSN Forum plays an important role in creating synergies, ensuring greater transparency of policy processes, and encouraging broad participation in food security and nutrition work.