Global Forum on Green Agriculture and 2nd Regional Science and Innovation Week for Europe and Central Asia

In 2021, the FAO Director-General and the leadership at FAO headquarters in Rome tasked all FAO Regional Offices to lead the way in the design and development of five regional technical platforms to accelerate innovation through the sharing of information and experiences. The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in line with its accumulated experiences and comparative advantage in several technical areas relevant to the greening of agrifood systems, was assigned to lead the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture. 

Launched in May 2022 at Thirty-third Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe, the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture has made significant progress in promoting green agriculture and fostering knowledge exchange, inspired by exemplary models and experiences in the region and beyond on different technical areas. Its innovative nature lies in its holistic, multidisciplinary and food systems approach methodology. It addresses both technical and socioeconomic aspects, engaging global audiences using digital technologies and tools while establishing interregional networks of a broad range of stakeholders. To advance interregional learning, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia has been provided with special resources to support the sharing of knowledge on green agriculture and inspire other regions to create an enabling environment for sustainable agrifood systems. 

Furthermore, the inaugural Regional Science and Innovation Week for Europe and Central Asia, convened in 2023 under the auspices of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, was designed to serve as a platform for governments, research institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector to discuss and exchange experiences concerning needs, gaps and opportunities related to the integration of science, research and innovation, alongside policy interface mechanisms, to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems within the region. The event brought together more than 400 participants from more than 20 countries to explore ways to advance agrifood systems. 

Building upon this commitment to sustainable agrifood systems, the Pact for the Future, the outcome of the United Nations Summit of the Future, envisions a more sustainable, equitable and resilient world. Central to this vision is the transformation of agrifood systems. To address the pressing challenges of agrifood systems, the pact emphasizes the adoption of innovative solutions and sustainable practices, aligning closely with FAO’s strategic documents on science and innovation, climate change, and biodiversity mainstreaming. Specifically, the pact emphasizes the role of science and technology in addressing global challenges (Action 28) and stresses the importance of youth participation in shaping a sustainable future (Action 36). 

Based on the green agriculture work of the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and aligned with the Pact for the Future, the Global Forum on Green Agriculture and Second Regional Science and Innovation Week aim to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable agrifood systems and contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as well as to relevant FAO Priority Programme Areas: Better Production 1, 4 and 5; Better Nutrition 3 and 4; Better Environment 1, 2 and 3; and Better Life 1, 2 and 4.1 

Embracing the pact’s Declaration on Future Generations, which champions a people-centered approach and acknowledges the interconnectedness of past, present and future, the event also aims to contribute to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). 

Main objective 

The main objective is to encourage all FAO regions in greening their agrifood systems by providing a platform for the interregional sharing of knowledge and the dissemination of best practices from successful green agriculture policies and strategies. It will highlight emerging technologies and innovative and green practical solutions, emphasizing efficiency and inclusivity. Capitalizing on 80 years of FAO’s service to countries, the event also will engage all generations to jointly explore the potential futures of agrifood systems in the regions and to identify sustainable solutions. 

Expected outputs  

• Evidence-based recommendations provided to policymakers to support the green transition of agrifood systems. 
• Key trends and advancements and successful green innovation case studies showcased and shared. 
• Discussions facilitated on the perspectives and priorities of various generations regarding the future of agrifood systems. 

Target audience  

• National government representatives from Africa, Asia, the Near East, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific. 
• Farmers, small-scale producers, Indigenous Peoples, civil society and the private sector. 
• Representatives of research institutes, members of academia, and scientists, including university students and young researchers. 
• United Nations agencies and development finance institutions. 

Partners  

• Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 
• Thematic Group on Green Architecture (European Union) 
• Private sector 
• Academia (Lighthouse Farm Academy) 
• Non-governmental organizations 
• Bioeconomy partnership  
• United Nations agencies 

Structure 

Day 1. High-level dialogue: “A Global Perspective on Green Agricultural Policies” 

This high-level dialogue will gather global stakeholders to explore green agriculture policies and strategies for sustainable and climate-resilient agrifood systems. Discussions will focus on translating global commitments into actionable policies; fostering innovation and investment; empowering women, youth and smallholders; and evaluating policy impact. The day will include two plenary sessions and three interactive panel discussions and will conclude with a round-table session to synthesize insights and outline future directions, aiming to foster collaboration and drive positive change in global sustainable agriculture. 

Day 2. Practical workshop: “Innovating a Green Future” 

This workshop will explore cutting-edge approaches to transforming agrifood systems for a greener future. The programme will consist of two parallel streams of sessions, each featuring expert panel discussions. Next-generation advocates will participate in these discussions, challenging established norms and contributing future-oriented visions. The workshop will then explore futuring methodologies, culminating in a group exercise designed to develop future scenarios for agrifood systems in the ECA region. 

Day 3.  Action Learning Expedition  

To help them synthesize information from the event, participants will take a study trip on the third day to observe a successful case study related to green agriculture, science and innovation in Hungary. 

Green Science and Innovation marketplace (Days 1 to 3)