Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger (SDG2) remains out of reach. SDG2 progress has slowed over the last few years, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to exacerbate the problem. Improving the leadership, governance and coordination of the three UN Rome-based agencies (RBAs) – the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) – is crucial to achieving this objective.
Lessons from comparable institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization may prove vital in realizing SDG2. While there are many actors that will influence progress towards this goal, the RBAs are best placed to lead on this initiative through improved transparency and leadership selection processes; the consolidation of RBA meetings and higher-level dialogue at those events; and enhanced collaboration at the regional, country and global levels.
A summary of the research findings is also available as a PDF download.
