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Feeding an expected global population of 9 billion by 2050 is a daunting challenge that is engaging hundreds of millions of farmers, food processors, traders, researchers, technical experts, and leaders the world over. Fish and other aquatic products from aquaculture can and will play a major role in meeting the dietary demands of all people, while also meeting the food security needs of the poorest.

To realize the maximum contributions of the aquaculture sector toward achieving the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, coordinated and accelerated actions are required. Not only must these actions increase sustainable production, but also address the broader value chain, markets, and decent employment.

Recognizing the critical importance of aquaculture, and the need to exchange and discuss reliable information to further enhance its contribution to sustainable development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), at the request of its Members, collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), to organize the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium + 20 (GCA +20), 23-24 September 2021, in Shanghai, China.

Under the theme “Aquaculture for food and sustainable development”, the GCA +20 brought stakeholders from government, business, academia and civil society together to identify the policy and technology innovations, investment opportunities and fruitful areas of cooperation in aquaculture for food and sustainable development. A key output from the GCA +20 – The Shanghai Declaration- highlights the principles and strategic pathways to maximize sustainable aquaculture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on “Leaving no one behind”.