Global Action Network – Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition was founded following a series of important global initiatives (CFS/GFS, ICN2, SDG), and the initiative of the Network was launched by Norway at the UN Ocean Conference 2017. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 2016 to 2025 to be the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition. A FAO/WHO work programme (2016-2025) has been issued to follow up the Nutrition Decade. Sustainable, resilient food systems for healthy diets is one of the six action areas. The programme encourages member states to create action networks, and the Global Action Network was the first action network established under the Nutrition Decade.
Our Vision and Mission
Upon the founding of the Network, a Concept Document, a Mission Statement, and an Action Plan were developed.
Our Structure and Leadership
TaskForce
The Global Action Network receives valuable input from an international TaskForce. The 2024 TaskForce is composed of participants from the Global Action Network, including country representatives and multiple stakeholder groups.
Working Groups
The Network also invites participants to form thematic working groups on aquatic foods. In 2024, the Network has four working groups:
This working group focuses on promoting the importance of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture following the work by IYAFA.
Working group events
- Women and a Changing Tide: How to Break the Bias: Perspective from African small-scale fisheries, 8 March 2022
- Solutions for Empowering Women’s Engagement in Aquatic Food Systems: a Journey Through the Supply Chain, 11 October 2022
Working group members 2024
- Johanne Nordby Fremstad | Advisor at the Department for Climate and Environment, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)
- Rhoda Bianca Mkumbwa | Secretary General, AWFishNet, Malawi
- Nicole Franz | Fisheries Planning Officer at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Leneve Papier | Secretary General at the South African Network for Women – Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Shakuntala Thilsted | Director for Nutrition, Health & Food Security Impact Platform, Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
- Francisco Mari | Senior Policy Officer for World Food Security, Agritrade and Maritime Affairs, Brot fuer die welt, Germany
- Daniel Adjei-Boateng | Lecturer in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
- Esperanza Silva | Oficial de Programas de Pesca e Aquicultura, Ministério de Agricultura e Pescas, Luanda, Angola
- Molly Ahern | Food Security and Nutrition Specialist at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Moazzam Khan | Technical Advisor in Marine Fisheries, World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan (WWF)
- Edel Oddny Elvevoll | Professor in Food Science Technology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway
- Vikas P A | Subject Matter Specialist in Fisheries, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, India
- Mele Tauati | Small-Scale Fisheries Officer of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Hanista Jhumun-Foolheea | Technical Officer, Albion Fisheries Research Center, Mauritius
- Jovice Mkuchu | Principle Fish Technologist, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Tanzania
- Felicia Eboka | PhD Researcher in Small-Scale Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology and Quality Assurance, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Kafayat Fakoya | Smal-Scale Fisheries Expert, Academic and Interdisciplinary Research, Gender in Fisheries and Aquaculture Section, Nigeria
This working group emphasizes the importance of considering food production from both oceans, inland waters, and land regarding contributions to food security, nutrition, biodiversity, and climate impact. Circular food production largely focuses on land-based production, but there are critical connections between aquatic and terrestrial food systems. Without a holistic approach, we risk developing separate solutions and failing to harness available opportunities. The availability of food and nutrition from nutrients accessible in the sea must be considered in an integrated manner to ensure that opportunities are not missed due to narrow perspectives.
Working group events
- One food system: Integrating terrestrial and aquatic food systems, 15 July 2024
- One food system: A paradigm shift including intersections between aquatic and terrestrial food systems, 1 July 2022
Working group members 2024
- Nina Liland | Head of Feed and Nutrition Research Group at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway (IMR) – Leader
- Michelle Tigchelaar | Scientist at WorldFish
- Andreea-Laura Cojocaru | Research Scientist at the University of Stavanger, Norway
- Katrine Soma | Senior Scientist in Wageningen Economic Research at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands (WUR)
- Asikaralu Okafor | Operations and Program Director at Village Farmers Initiative, Nigeria
- Thiru Somasundaram | Research Fellow at NuSea.Lab, Deakin University, Australia
- Hanista Jhumun-Foolheea | Technical Officer at Albion Fisheries Research Center, Mauritius
- Harriet Nketiah Birikorang | Msc. Student in Health Management in Aquaculture at Ghent University, Belgium
- Geert Wiegertjes | Head of Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands (WUR)
- Sophie Ryan | Global Salmon Initiative
Following the 7th Network Meeting (October 2022), the working group on Food Composition Data was suggested. FAO is upgrading the INFOODS database, and the U-Fish database will be upgraded with better data and more species. This working group will focus on promoting the importance of food composition data for food and nutrition policies.
Working group events
- The case for aquatic blue food in achieving SDG 2 (zero hunger):
Reducing hunger and improving nutrition outcomes, 9 July 2024
Working group members 2024
- Yuko Nanjo | Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries & Food and Nutrition Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – Leader
- Bridget Anna Holmes | Food and Nutrition Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Marian Kjellevold | Researcher at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway (IMR)
- Hettie Carina Schönfeldt | Professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Kendra Byrd | Senior Research Fellow in Nutrition and Food Systems at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK
- Thiru Somasundaram | Research Fellow at the NuSea.Lab, Deakin University, Australia
- Lydia C. O’Meara | PhD Candidate in Food and Nutrition Security Initiative at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK
- Fernanda Grande | Food and Nutrition Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Doris Rittenschober | Food and Nutrition Division of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Following the 7th Network Meeting (October 2022), this working group on Bridging the Decades was established. This working group will focus on the connection between the UN Ocean and the UN Nutrition Decade. Linking the UN Ocean Decades activities and knowledge on aquatic food-related topics (including also new food sources, low tropic aquaculture, mesopelagic, etc) to the Global Action Network, looking at possibilities and limitations.
Working group events
Working group members 2024
- Peter Haugan | Policy Director at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway (IMR) – Leader
- Niall McDonough | Director of Policy Innovation and Research Services at the Marine Institute, Ireland
- Hanista Jhumun-Foolheea | Technical Officer at Albion Fisheries Research Center, Mauritius
The Norwegian Leadership and Secretariat
The Global Action Network is led by Norway.
Join us! – Global Action Network Participants
This informal Network provides a platform for countries, and other actors, to link and learn to generate food security.
The Global Action Network is constantly developing based on inputs and ideas from participants at Network meetings. In addition to open meetings, TaskForce meetings, and working groups, the Global Action Network arranges digital and physical events to bring attention to the importance of aquatic foods for food security.
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