Page 7 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

art 3 Global Update
GCA update
Austin/Uwe 2pp

Regional reviews Procedure, many Members and Observers indicated their
A major component of the GCA +20 is the preparation strong support for the GCA +20, noting its timely nature
of the Regional Reviews of Aquaculture and the State of and a desire that interested stakeholders are involved in
World Aquaculture 2020, which will be presented and the preparation of the Thematic Reviews and the Shanghai
discussed on the first day of the GCA +20. FAO organized Declaration. The written statements and the Secretariat
1
a series of webinars in October 2020 (during the original response can be found on the COFI website. In response,
dates of the GCA +20) to present the initial findings of the outputs of the GCA +20 will be made available for
these Regional Reviews. Summaries of these webinars can consideration during the next session of the COFI
Global Aquaculture Updates
be found in this edition of FAN, and the full recordings are Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to be held in Mérida,
available on our website. Mexico, from 15 to 18 November 2021.

Thematic reviews Additionally, the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Under the guidance of the International Programme will convene a 2021 Food Systems Summit as part of the
Committee, groups of subject experts are currently Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development
drafting nine Thematic Reviews of Aquaculture. The Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit will launch bold
reviews cover a full range of key issues impacting the new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of
future of aquaculture, and will be presented and discussed which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable
during Sessions I–III on the second day of the GCA +20 and equitable food systems. As food systems touch every
(see the programme above). The draft Thematic Reviews aspect of human existence, the health of our food systems
will also be made available for comment by registered profoundly affects the health of our bodies as well as
participants, with advanced drafts posted on our website. the health of our environment, our economies and our
Received comments, along with the discussion during the cultures.
GCA +20, will be considered in the finalization of the
Thematic Reviews. Furthermore, the General Assembly of the United Nations
proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal
Shanghai Declaration Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with FAO serving as the
The Shanghai Declaration, a key output from the lead agency. IYAFA will enhance global awareness about,
GCA +20, will represent a road map to optimize the role understanding of, and action to support the contribution
that aquaculture can play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to
Sustainable Development. A group of aquaculture experts sustainable development, and more specifically in relation
has prepared a first draft, and a similar commenting process to food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and the
will be available to registered participants. We expect that use of natural resources. IYAFA will promote dialogue and
a penultimate draft will be ready during the weeks prior to collaboration between and among small-scale artisanal
the GCA +20, with the final text adopted on the final day. fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, governments and other
key partners along the value chain, and further strengthen
Posters their capacity to enhance sustainability in fisheries and
To encourage active participation, especially of youth, aquaculture.
students and early career researchers and aquaculturists,
the GCA +20 will include a poster session and a youth We know that we all must work together to transform the
poster competition. Accepted posters will be displayed ways the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.
online. All registered participants are invited to submit a With aquaculture increasingly recognized for the essential
poster abstract. A limited funding opportunity based on the food production sector it is, the GCA +20 will have a
quality of the poster abstracts was also made available to critical role in aligning the future path of aquaculture
facilitate in person participation of youth from developing with the development trajectory needed to contribute
countries. effectively to the achievement of the SDGs and a world
without hunger.
Link to global processes
The GCA +20 comes at an important time, and there are
strong connections to several important events. The 34 th
Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) welcomed SEE ALSO
the holding of the GCA +20 and encouraged all Members GCA +20 website: www.aquaculture2020.org
to participate. As part of the Written Correspondence United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021:
www.un.org/en/food-systems-summit
International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022:
www.fao.org/artisanal-fisheries-aquaculture-2022

1. See www.fao.org/about/meetings/cofi/wcp-cofi34/comments-agenda5/en/

6 FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021