FAO and IBA sign Letter of Agreement to strengthen collaboration

For some years now, the Agricultural Law Section of the International Bar Association (IBA), chaired by BUREN’s Jan Holthuis, has been collaborating on topics of mutual interest with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Following the successful joint sessions in Sydney (2017) and Rome (2019), a Letter of Agreement was signed between FAO and the IBA on 24 September 2019, formalising and strengthening this collaboration. We foresee joint activities such as legal research and capacity development projects aimed at strengthening developing countries’ and their legal professionals’ knowledge and capacities in areas such as food security and nutrition, rural poverty eradication, sustainable agriculture production, inclusive food systems, climate change mitigation and adaptation and conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources.  Through its Development Law Service, FAO will actively contribute to the activities of the ALS, although it may not be a formal member, given its neutral and impartial status. The IBA will be invited to participate as an observer at the FAO Committee on Food Security and other important FAO Governing Body Sessions.

(From left to right on overview picture: Dr. Mark Ellis, Executive Director International Bar Association, Jan Holthuis, chair IBA Agricultural Law Section,Valerie Johnston, legal officer, Development law Service FAO)