We are happy to send you our third newsletter in 2026, sharing ongoing work and news from the Global Action Network.

The Global Action Network Action Plan includes arranging annual meetings, workshops and events, recognizing interested parties, and establishing connections to promote collaboration and interaction among cross-sectorial actors focusing on the important elements for food security from Healthy Waters to Healthy People.

We are pleased to invite you to the Annual Network meeting in the Global Action Network. The meeting will be hybrid and open for all. Those who have access to FAO Headquarters, Rome, may join the meeting on-site, while others may join online via Zoom.

High Level opening remarks by:

The Global Action Network on Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition welcomes the endorsement of the initiative “Bridging UN Nutrition and Ocean Science Decades” as a UN Ocean Decade Action and recognised contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The endorsement was granted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) in May 2026.

This side event brings together experiences from Africa and Latin America to explore how aquatic foods can contribute to resilience from production to consumption. It highlights approaches connecting small-scale producers with markets and school meal programmes, creating opportunities for dietary diversity, child nutrition, and local economies.

The Global Action Network will continuously identify challenges, exchange knowledge and solutions related to the key elements of food security. Through the Gain and Share Tool, you can gain and share knowledge to promote sustainable food from the oceans and inland waters for food security and nutrition.

Below are contributions and activities from our participants around the globe.

The ATTITUDE project explores implementation of restorative aquaculture practices for mussels and oysters. Environmental, social, economic and governance conditions are investigated in case studies across Europe. The aim is to identify barriers and opportunities for a transformative governance where the bivalve industry is integrated with coastal ecosystem conservation.

In September 2026, nutrition and food safety experts from ten countries met in Accra, Ghana, under the EAF-Nansen Programme. Using a regional dataset on anchovy, sardinella and pilchard sampled by the RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, they drafted two companion papers on nutrients and contaminants, laying groundwork for a risk–benefit assessment.

The study is the first assessment of the socio-economic implications of the WTO-FSA for African Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF), producing actionable recommendations that balance sustainability objectives with livelihood protection and gender equity.

South Sudan’s fisheries sector holds vast potential but remains underdeveloped, hindered by conflicts, poor infrastructure, policy gaps, and high post‑harvest losses. With fish providing affordable nutrients to combat malnutrition, strategic investment in aquaculture, modernization, infrastructure, policy reform, and nutrition education are crucial to help drive food security and sustainable development.

CFS 54, 19-23 October, Rome, Italy

UN Biodiversity Conference – COP 17, 19–30 October, Yerevan, Armenia

UN Climate Change Conference – COP31, 9-20 November, Antalya, Türkiye

Circular Food Systems: Connecting Green and Blue, 23-27  November, Leiden, Netherlands

2026 UN Water Conference, 2-4 December, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

To feature your activities, solutions or relevant events supporting the Global Action Network mission in future newsletters, please contact us via foodfromtheocean@hi.no.

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