FAO Director-General conveys message at General Plenary Leaders Dialogue at Climate Summit in Brazil

This initiative proposes a novel, participatory foresight study specifically focused on fostering the inclusion and empowerment of women across the entire Agrifood Innovation System (AIS) by 2050 and beyond.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today commemorated World Food Day and its 80th anniversary with a landmark event in Rome, reaffirming its enduring mission to end hunger and build resilient agrifood systems across the globe.

Event calls for a paradigm shift in how science, innovation and partnerships can transform agrifood systems

Innovation is one of humanity’s most powerful tools. It has transformed how we grow food, connect with one another, and respond to challenges. But innovation does not always live up to its promise. Sometimes, good ideas fail to take root. Sometimes, new technologies bring unintended consequences. Understanding why this happens — and how we can do better — is essential for shaping the future of agrifood systems.

New York – Over two days (22 and 23 September) during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, together with a high-level delegation, participated in several high-level events to advocate for strategic pathways to transform global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new webinar series designed to integrate Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (SAM) into Farmer Field Schools (FFS), targeting small-scale producers worldwide. 

The Global AgriInno Challenge (GAC) 2025, co-organized by FAO, Zhejiang University, and Pinduoduo, has concluded after three days of innovation, learning, and collaboration. This year’s competition received 519 applications from 97 countries, the most competitive edition to date. From these, nine youth-led solutions were selected to pitch in Hangzhou, representing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, China, Thailand, Colombia, Hungary, and the United States.

African-led science and innovation are at the heart of efforts to transform agrifood systems across the continent. That was the central message of a dedicated side event held during the Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in Africa, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

At the opening of the AI for Good Summit (8-11 July)  in Geneva today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) officially launched the Robotics for Good – Youth Challenge 2025–26, a global initiative aimed at empowering youth to drive innovation in agrifood systems.

The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, concluded the 44th Session of the FAO Conference (28 June – 4 July) by emphasizing the imperative for a robust FAO in light of the immense, complex, and interconnected challenges facing humanity. He articulated four fundamental truths derived from discussions among Members: (i) Resilience is built, not given; (ii) Innovation is our lever; (iii) Partnerships are the DNA of our humanity; and (iv) Targeted action yields tangible results.

On the margins of the 44th Session of the FAO Ministerial Conference, the Director-General QU Dongyu inaugurated two new technical rooms at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome: the Liberia Situation Room and the Netherlands Acceleration Zone. These state-of-the-art facilities are set to significantly enhance the Organization’s efficiency and effectiveness in delivering its mandate.

Access to reliable, affordable clean energy remains a challenge for many rural communities around the world. In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched two innovative renewable energy projects aimed at tackling energy access and efficiency challenges in rural communities in Jamaica and Jordan. These initiatives are being supported through FAO’s ELEVATE Incubator Programme, under the guidance of the Office of Innovation (OIN).

 Vincent Martin, Director of FAO’s Office of Innovation, visited Brussels to present FAO’s work on innovation at the Council Working Party on International Food and Agricultural Questions (AGRIFAO) and to interact with key stakeholders in the European Commission. Martin had a fruitful exchange with the delegates emphasizing science and innovation as a central driving force for achieving a world free from hunger and malnutrition. 

The world faces unprecedented challenges: a growing population, increasing climate extremes, and dwindling natural resources. Feeding the planet sustainably requires a shift, a move away from "business as usual" to embrace innovative solutions that can transform our agrifood systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on genetic engineering and biotechnological solutions in support of transforming agrifood systems

The FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference 2025, held from 16 to 18 June at FAO headquarters in Rome, brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how biotechnological innovation can help transform agrifood systems.

 The Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference 2025 opened today at  the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together policymakers, scientists, civil society, farmers, youth leaders, private sector and development partners under the theme “Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation.”

The Director-General underscored the critical role of science, innovation and international cooperation in ensuring that aquatic food systems continue to feed a growing global population while protecting biodiversity.

The need for transformative changes to agrifood systems has become increasingly urgent. As part of its 80th Anniversary celebrations, FAO will host a Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference, Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation from 16 to 18 June 2025.