Agriculture faces numerous challenges including climate change, extreme weather, limited resources, evolving dietary needs, and population growth. To address these challenges, innovative solutions are necessary, among which space technology plays a vital role. Space technologies such as satellite imagery and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are integral to modern agriculture. Engaging experts from the space sector, including within the United Nations, is crucial for the effective integration of space technology in agriculture.

This publication, jointly developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), underscores the critical role of space technologies in addressing global food security challenges and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Satellite imagery, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and related space technologies provide critical data for monitoring natural resources and supporting sustainable agriculture and food security such as through crop monitoring, water resource management, and weather forecasting. Recognizing these opportunities and challenges, the FAO and UNOOSA collaboration seeks to leverage space technologies for agricultural development and food security.

This publication was prepared in the context of the contribution of FAO to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), on the topic of leveraging space technology for agricultural development and food security (A/79/20, para. 317).

This publication highlights how space technologies can transform agriculture, ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of global challenges. It calls for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to integrate cutting-edge technologies while mitigating risks like space debris and fostering the efficient, sustainable development of space resources. The launch event will serve as a platform to discuss these transformative potentials and encourage further partnerships between the space and agricultural communities.