The Accountability Pact
An International Pact on Monitoring for Accountability for Action on Food Systems
Commit to continuing and expanding the application of our expertise to strengthening food systems monitoring for accountability through generating evidence, translating evidence, and advocating for applying evidence in food systems transformation.
262 Food Monitoring Experts have signed the Accountability Pact as of 23 September 2021.
Call to Action
Scientists and Food Monitoring Experts
In light of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), it is clear that concrete commitments are required from solution clusters, coalitions for action and Member States, to enable food systems transformation.
Scientists and Food Monitoring Experts are paramount in generating and translating evidence on progress towards healthy and sustainable food systems.
The Accountability Pact invites signees to commit to monitoring for accountability for action on food systems.
The Commitment
We, the undersigned scientists and food monitoring experts engaged in generating and translating evidence on progress towards healthy and sustainable food systems:
Agree
On the need for a fundamental reorientation of global, regional, national, and local food systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Recognise
Food systems are one of the strongest levers for achieving the desired outcomes of human health and wellbeing, ecological health and wellbeing, social equity, and economic prosperity.
Many food system interventions can improve more than one of those desired outcomes ('double-duty' or 'triple-duty' actions).
Increased action to improve the healthiness and sustainability of food systems can be achieved by strengthening public sector governance, reducing the political influence of vested commercial interests, mobilizing civil society and investors, and strengthening accountability systems.
Identify
The value of robust, independent monitoring of food systems as a catalyst within the Accountability Cycle (roles for monitoring systems shown in italics)
Setting the account: defining the objectives and targets for action (converting high-level commitments to measurable indicators);
Taking the account: measuring progress towards targets (monitoring food policies, actions, environments, systems, and consumption);
Sharing the account: communicating the results to decision-makers (translating the research into accessible evidence);
Holding to account: providing incentives and disincentives for those in power to act (supporting the voices of other actors, eg civil society groups and investors);
Responding to the account: taking action to improve food systems (supporting action with evidence and expertise).
Acknowledge
The existing high-level UN statements regarding food systems, environmental sustainability, and human health are aspirational end-goals, but which require concrete commitments, targets, actions and timelines for delivery.
There is building momentum on the journey towards the UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021, and monitoring systems can support many of the emerging solution clusters, coalitions for action, and Member State commitments.
There is also a growing groundswell of social movements for ethical eating, ethical farming standards, healthy and sustainable diets, and demands for action on reducing carbon emissions, water use, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
There are several existing and emerging independent food system monitoring initiatives and platforms.
Commit To
Continuing and expanding the application of our expertise to strengthening food systems monitoring for accountability through generating evidence, translating evidence, and advocating for applying evidence in food systems transformation.
Sign the Accountability Pact
262 Food Monitoring Experts have signed the Accountability Pact as of 23 September 2021.
Official Launch
On 1 September, food monitoring experts convened virtually for a UNFSS update, monitoring food systems update, launch of the Accountability Pact and next steps.
Insightful presentations were delivered by Prof. Boyd Swinburn, Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Prof. Jessica Fanzo, Dr. Stefanie Vandevijvere, A/Prof. Gary Sacks, Inge Kauer, Prof. William Masters, Prof. Amos Laar, Prof. Tilakavati Karupaiah, Dr. Simón Barquera, and Prof. Nasrin Omidvar.
Get Onboard Alongside
Synergies with the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021
The Accountability Pact emerges at the crossroads of the UNFSS, wherein clusters, coalitions, dialogues, and other initiatives are forming in an effort to progress towards healthy and sustainable food systems.
It is our view that the Accountability Pact complements many UNFSS activities, and we support the emergence of clusters and coalitions that aim to enhance monitoring for accountability for action on food systems.
Clusters of relevance include, but are not limited to; True Cost Accounting; the Global Coalition for Children's Diets; Food Waste Accountability; School Meals Coalition; Healthy Food Environments; Strengthening Capacity in Food Systems; Food Systems Governance; and Food Supply Chains.
Alongside other UNFSS activities, we encourage scientists and food monitoring experts to sign the Accountability Pact. This could amplify synergies between the wide range of actors involved in food system transformation.
Special acknowledgements to the IDRC for generously supporting and funding this initiative.
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