Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Kostas G. Stamoulis is currently the Assistant Director-General of the Economic and Social Development Department at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. He served as Director and Strategic Programme Leader of Food Security and Nutrition at the FAO. In 2015 using his strategic guidance he led the design of the FAO’s Strategic Programme on Food Security and Nutrition which cuts across several disciplines and geographical regions. Between 2008 and 2015 he was the Director of the Agricultural Development Economics Division of the FAO. From 2007 to 2015 he was the Secretary of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and played a key role in the reform of the committee. Before joining the FAO in 1989, he was Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. He holds a degree in Economics from the Economics University of Athens (Greece), a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia (USA) and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Science.
1. Which aspect of the food waste problem is the most relevant for you?
All aspects (causes, measurement, solutions and impacts - on environment, climate change, economics, food security) are equally relevant. A key to understanding the drivers and the impacts of FLW is its quantitative measurement at national and sectoral levels.
2. What do you think is the best way to make improvements in this area?
Research and agreement on methodology.
3. Can you already discover a positive development in this area?
Yes, various methodologies to assess and measure FLW have been developed and are being piloted in real situations. However, these trials are very expensive and funding to do it at the desired scale is lacking.
4. What institutional measures would you like to see in the future?
National committees on FLW reduction, comprising public and private stakeholders, who take the lead in addressing the issue at national, sectoral and subsectoral level.
5. How do you see the role of the SAVE FOOD initiative in the fight against food loss and food waste?
Promote and link initiatives everywhere in the world, stimulate collaboration and give guidance on methodology, strategy and policy development.
