The Brussels Development Briefing n. 59 on “Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems” organised by CTA, the European Commission/EuropeAid, the ACP Secretariat, CONCORD and IPES-FOOD was held on Wednesday 15 January 2020 (9h00-13h00) at the ACP Secretariat, Avenue Georges Henri 451, 1200 Brussels. The briefing brought various perspectives and experiences on agroecological systems to support agricultural transformation. Experts presented trends and prospects for agroecological approaches and what it implies for the future of the food systems. Successes and innovative models in agroecology in different parts of the world and the lessons learned for upscaling them were also discussed.

1. How local application of agroecological
principles can transform food systems
Fergus Sinclair
HLPE 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food
security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on
World Food Security, Rome
Sinclair, F., Wezel, A., Mbow, C., Chomba, C., Robiglio, V. and Harrison, R. (2019). The contribution of agroecological
approaches to realizing climate-resilient agriculture. Background Paper. Global Commission on Adaptation. Rotterdam.

3. Recycling
Animal health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values and
diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Co-creation of knowledge
Recycling
Animal health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values and
diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Level 5 Build a new global food
system based on participation,
localness, fairness and justice
Level 4 Reconnect consumers and
producers through the development of
alternative food networks
Level 3 Redesign agroecosystems
Level 2 Substitute conventional inputs
and practices with agroecological
alternatives
Level 1 Increase efficiency of input
use and reduce use of costly, scarce
or environmentally damaging inputs
TransformationalIncremental
AgroecosystemFoodsystem Recycling
Animal health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values and
diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Co-creation of knowledge
Recycling
Animal health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values and
diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Co-creation of knowledge

4. Influence of public and private sector governance mechanisms
on innovation