COVIT-19 has brought to the attention of all countries the issue of security of supply of
essential goods, such as food, pharmaceuticals and energy products, has emerged in many
countries as a matter of national priority. It has also shown a new propensity of local
consumers and traders towards supply models based on local producers, often at significantly
higher prices than large retailers and, on the logistical side, the use of home delivery. Gender
balance has been affected both because women had to burden the management of the
lockdown within the household, and were often more easily laid off than men. These changes
suggest a worldwide move to shorten supply chains, production patterns more inclusive of
small farmers and local producers, and redesign on a more restricted geographical basis
transport logistics and delivery of essential goods.

Round Table Discussion
Introduction: Pasquale L. Scandizzo, President, SITES; Rabah Arezki , Chief Economist
MENA World Bank; Francesco La Camera, DG IRENA; Romina Cavatassi, Lead Economist –
IFAD – Impact Assessment Cluster Head of RIA; Raffaello Cervigni, Head of GPS, World
Bank; Giovanni Tria, former Minister of Economy, Italy – University of Rome Tor Vergata;
Domenico Fanizza, Exec Dir IMF; Peter Hazell, IFPRI; Gianna Giannelli, University of
Florence; Nancy McCarthy, CEO LeadAnalytics; Conclusions: Sara Savastano, Director RIAIFAD