The Reformed Committee on Food Security. A briefing paper for ...

CFS Relations with different levelsAgain, using the distinction between CFS inputs and CFS outputs, the reform document proposesthat the CFS relate to the different levels in the following indicative ways:Global LevelAs shown above, the CFS establishes linkages at the global level through its (five categories of) participants,who are both able to contribute to inputs and asked to take note of its outputs. .It also relates to a global network of experts through its High Level Panel of Experts. And it also relates,through its reporting, to FAO Conference (the main governing body in FAO) and the UN GeneralAssembly through its Economic And Social Council (ECOSOC).<strong>The</strong> CFS: Key Mechanisms I<strong>The</strong> annual meeting of the CFS is the Plenary but aside from this body there a number of otherimportant mechanisms that facilitate the activity of the Membership and Participants withinthe CFS, particularly during the intersessional period.<strong>The</strong> Bureau represents the broader membership (member states) of the CFS between plenarysessions. It ensures coordination among all actors and advances tasks in preparation for CFSplenary sessions. <strong>The</strong> Bureau has a Chairperson (Noel de Luna of the Philippines), and 12members. Members of the Bureau serve a two year term.<strong>The</strong> Advisory Group provides a bridge between Participants and the Bureau, and its functionis to “provide input to the Bureau regarding the range of tasks which the CFS Plenary hasinstructed it to perform.” (CFS, 2009/2: Paragraph 32). <strong>The</strong> Advisory Group is not to exceedthe numbers of the Bureau and its 13 members serve the same term as the Bureau – two years.Membership of the Advisory Group is comprised as follows, following its division into fivecategories:· Five representatives from Category 1 - UN bodies and agencies with mandates in food securityand nutritionFAO, Hafez Ghanem, Assistant Director General, Economic and Social Department.WFP, Mohamed El-Kouhene, Deputy Director, Multilateral and NGOs Relations Division.IFAD, Jean-Philippe Audinet, Operational Policy and Technical Advisory Division.Right-to-Food, Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapportuer on the right to food - Office of23