Divergent View to the CSIPM Governance Working Group and the Coordinating Committee

This document presents a divergent perspective on governance discussions within the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and its Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSIPM). It raises concerns about current governance processes within the Working Group and Coordinating Committee, particularly around representation, transparency, and decision-making power.

On June 12th, on behalf of Mothers First and in collaboration with two other members of the Governance Working Group, a Divergent Position was submitted to the CSIPM Coordination Committee. This submission outlined concerns regarding governance and decision-making practices within the working groups, which we believe are not fully aligned with the principles set out by the CSIPM Policy Working Groups.

A key theme is the importance of ensuring that civil society voices—especially those from Indigenous Peoples, small-scale food producers, and grassroots organisations—are not diluted within global policy spaces. The document argues that meaningful participation requires more than consultation; it requires shared power and genuine inclusion in shaping food systems governance.

It also highlights tensions between different stakeholder groups regarding how governance structures are designed and implemented, calling for reforms that strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of civil society engagement in global food security discussions.

Overall, the document advocates for more equitable, transparent, and inclusive governance mechanisms that better reflect the realities and needs of communities most affected by food insecurity.

Read more about it here.