Rome, March 6 (Xinhua) -- As the world grapples with food insecurity, climate change, and resource limitations, evaluating policies and programs has become critical to building resilient agrifood systems, Qu Dongyu, director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has said at a high-level global conference in Rome.
The two-day conference, co-hosted by FAO, the New Development Bank, and the International Development Evaluation Association on Wednesday and Thursday, explored how data-driven assessments can drive innovation, improve policy effectiveness, and enhance policies, programs, and investments in the agrifood sector.
"Evaluation is not just about accountability; it is a tool for learning and innovation," Qu said. He stressed that data-driven assessments help identify challenges and opportunities for more efficient, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems.
The conference discussed pressing global challenges, including food insecurity, extreme weather events, conflicts, and resource limitations. Policymakers, scientists, and development experts explored innovative evaluation methodologies to enhance decision-making and improve outcomes in agricultural development.
One of the key outcomes of the event was the launch of the "Eval-for-Earth" initiative, a collaborative effort to integrate evaluation into sustainable development strategies. Actionable recommendations achieved at the event emphasize a systems-based evaluation approach that holistically considers economic, social, and environmental factors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
As climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic disparities continue to shape global food systems, the conference underscored the importance of collaboration in leveraging evaluation to guide policies and investments for a more sustainable future. ■
