FAO discussant participation at the STI Forum - 'Formal Programme Thematic Session 2 on integrated solutions to make progress across SDG6, 7 and 9'
FAO discussant participation by FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi
03/05/2023
STI Forum Formal Programme Thematic Session 2: Integrated solutions to make progress across SDG6, 7 and 9
Discussant intervention by FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi
As prepared for delivery
Understanding the interconnectivity of SDGs is critical to prioritize integrated solutions to make progress in SDGs.
For example, agriculture and food security perspectives is at the centre of SDG2 and SDG1, but has a close linkages to SDG6, SDG7 and SDG9.
In most regions of the world, over 70 percent of freshwater is used for agriculture.
Integrated water resource management and inclusive water governance are critical priorities for transformative change towards sustainable agriculture and contribution to make progress in SDG6.
They are needed to address the impacts of water scarcity, droughts and floods and to enhance incomes, while protecting natural resources.
Meaningful engagement with farmers, pastoralists, foresters, and smallholders, who are directly involved in the management and conservation of water in agricultural landscapes, is essential to promote the needed adaption and uptake of innovation.
Similarly, energy and food systems are deeply intertwined and highlights the link between SDG2 and SDG7.
Over 30% of all energy is consumed within agrifood systems and 33% of emissions from agrifood systems are the result of energy use.
Promoting investment in renewable energy solutions and adopting new holistic approaches such as integrated food-energy systems and the Water-Energy-Food nexus could contribute to make progress of SDG7.
Similarly, there is a clear linkage between SDG2 and SDG9.
Global agricultural production must increase by at least 50% by 2050 to meet food needs with limited resources.
If applied systematically, technological innovation in breeding, genetics and the optimized use of inputs can scale up productivity while enhancing sustainability.
Digital technologies are also essential for this, as well as for providing real-time information to farmers, ensuring product quality and reducing carbon footprint.
Realizing this requires investment in infrastructure for rural broadband, and database management, as well as in e-skills among the small-scale producers.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that integrated solutions to make progress across SDG 6, 7 and 9 should also look at how all of these are linked to each other and with other SDGs such as SDG2.