The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) have taken a major step toward reshaping global food security with the launch of a €20 million initiative aimed at improving access to nutritious aquatic foods in vulnerable regions of Africa and Latin America. The project, titled New Aquatic Food Value Chains for Sustainable Healthy Diets in Fragile Contexts (NAVAC), seeks to expand the supply of sustainable and affordable aquatic foods while fostering innovation and local economic growth in fragile environments. Running from 2025 to 2030, NAVAC will be implemented in Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and South Sudan, supported by the EU's financial contribution and an additional $500,000 from FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme.

"NAVAC aims to expand the supply of sustainable, affordable, and nutritious aquatic foods to reach nutritionally vulnerable populations, while boosting local economies through Blue Transformation innovations," said Godfrey Magwenzi, FAO Deputy Director-General. Aquatic foods-ranging from fish and crustaceans to algae and mollusks-are a critical source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that can help combat malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant or lactating women. Yet, many national nutrition strategies still underestimate their potential to strengthen food security and improve public health outcomes.

Aligned with FAO's Four Betters - Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life - NAVAC supports the organization's vision to make aquatic food systems more efficient, inclusive, and resilient. The initiative also advances the EU's broader Global Gateway strategy, designed to mobilize investment and innovation to tackle global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and resilient value chains across continents. "NAVAC promotes an integrated ‘net-to-plate' approach that enhances food security, supports livelihoods, and strengthens environmental sustainability," emphasized Annette Schneegans, Deputy Permanent Representative of the European Union to FAO.

Under this partnership, FAO will implement NAVAC in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark and national partners in each participating country. In its initial phase, the project will assess existing aquatic food value chains to identify development gaps and opportunities for improvement. Based on these insights, NAVAC will design upgrading strategies to strengthen supply chains, enhance nutrition outcomes, and support local livelihoods. Beyond production, the project also aims to modernize processing, distribution, and marketing systems to ensure that nutritious aquatic foods reach vulnerable populations more effectively and at affordable prices.

The initiative will also explore innovative tools such as biotechnology, digital monitoring, and product development processes to enhance traceability, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote sustainable use of aquatic resources. These actions are expected to create new opportunities for small-scale fishers, women, and youth, driving inclusive growth and building climate resilience in communities heavily dependent on aquatic ecosystems.

In a world increasingly affected by climate volatility and resource scarcity, the NAVAC initiative underscores the strategic importance of aquatic foods as a low-carbon, nutrient-dense, and sustainable alternative to land-based protein sources. By combining European investment with FAO's technical expertise, this partnership aims to transform aquatic value chains into engines of nutrition, innovation, and sustainability, reinforcing the global agenda toward resilient and equitable food systems.