Digital Innovation for All: FAO Champions Open Solutions at LLDC3

How Digital Public Goods Can Accelerate Agricultural Transformation in Landlocked Developing Countries

As the global digital landscape evolves, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working to ensure that innovation is open, inclusive, and accessible—especially for countries facing structural challenges. FAO will host the side event “Digital Public Goods for Digital Agriculture and Innovation” on 5 August 2025, during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan. This high-level discussion will focus on how Digital Public Goods (DPGs)—such as mobile apps, open data platforms, AI models, and geospatial systems—can support inclusive digital agriculture and rural innovation in landlocked developing countries. 

Empowering Agriculture Through Open Innovation
FAO’s Science and Innovation Strategy underscores the importance of ethical, inclusive, and locally adapted digital tools for achieving sustainable food systems. In practice, this means:

• In Ethiopia, tools like FarmStack and Farmer Chat, developed by Digital Green and the Ministry of Agriculture, are enabling farmers to access tailored advice and local market information.
• In Kazakhstan, the Agrokomek mobile app, developed with FAO and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is supporting rural knowledge exchange and agricultural learning.
• Through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, over 65 countries are adopting interoperable systems to enhance agricultural planning and investment.

Why It Matters for LLDCs
Landlocked Developing Countries face challenges such as limited connectivity, high transport costs, and reduced access to innovation ecosystems. Digital Public Goods offer an opportunity to:

• Strengthen local innovation and capacity-building
• Reduce reliance on proprietary technologies
• Promote equitable access to digital services
• Improve agricultural resilience and efficiency

By fostering collaborative solutions, FAO supports countries in building strong national digital ecosystems that can scale and sustain innovation over time. 

From Policy to Practice
The session will bring together policy makers, technologists, and development partners to share insights and co-develop approaches to advancing digital agriculture in landlocked contexts. The event contributes to the LLDC3 outcome document and aligns with FAO’s Programme Priority Areas. 

Event: Digital Public Goods for Digital Agriculture and Innovation
Date: 5 August 2025
Location: Awaza, Turkmenistan
Time: 13:15–14:45 local time
Organizers: FAO and partners, with participation from ministries of agriculture, innovation agencies, and the UN Technology Bank 

For more information, please visit the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries website.

Digital innovation can drive transformation where it is needed most. This conversation is a step toward making that promise real.