19th Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting in Southern Africa

The Right Theme, At the Right Time

The 2025 FAOSFS_MDT19 theme — “Delivering Impact for Efficient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Learning, Partnering and Scaling Innovation in Southern Africa” — is timely and well aligned with FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31. It reflects FAO global push for efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, particularly through innovation, partnerships, and better use of limited resources.

In Southern Africa, the theme responds to urgent challenges: worsening climate variability, rising food insecurity, and stretched public budgets. Millions across the subregion are affected by crop failures and high food prices, highlighting the need to focus on what works — impactful solutions that can be scaled efficiently. Innovation, whether technological, financial, or institutional, must be supported by knowledge sharing, cross-border collaboration, and strong partnerships. FAO initiatives like the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, One Country–One Priority Product, and Digital Villages already embody this approach.

The theme also prepares Southern Africa’s strategic positioning ahead of the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34), where evidence of impact, innovation, and alignment with global frameworks will be essential.

By focusing on learning, partnering, and scaling, this year’s MDT aims to move beyond discussion and showcase practical, scalable solutions — especially those with the potential to deliver more with less.

Considering the theme, 3 competitions have been launched on 1 August 2025:

1. Video on Innovation in action,
2. Photo Exhibition on Partnerships’ Impacts, and
3. Poster on Learning for Scaling.

 

From Talk to Action: What’s New at MDT19?

This year’s MDT has been carefully designed based on the valuable feedback from FAOSFS_MDT18 participants. In response to requests for more focused and impactful content, the 2025 edition will limit the number of presentations and prioritize short, compelling pitches that highlight concrete results, good practices, and lessons learned.

The agenda has been streamlined to allow more time for meaningful dialogue, group exchanges, and practical problem-solving. Themes have been selected to reflect both technical and operational priorities — including country-level delivery, innovation, partnerships, staff welfare, and internal collaboration.

 Participants are expected to come prepared to share, learn, and engage — not only to present their work, but to pitch solutions, raise questions, and connect with peers across disciplines and countries. Interventions should be clear, concise, and action-oriented, with a real intention to inform others, inspire uptake, and foster partnerships. More inclusive facilitation will ensure voices from all units and staff levels are heard — with better gender balance, expanded participation from operations and administration, and a renewed focus on joint team building and co-learning. This MDT is not just another meeting — it is a platform for transformation.

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