New Delhi, 18 February 2026. Leading experts from three Rome-based United Nations agencies joined India's Chief Economic Advisor for a panel discussion on transforming artificial intelligence from pilot projects into sustainable, large-scale solutions that address food security, climate resilience, and humanitarian challenges affecting the world's most vulnerable populations. 

Around the world, women represent only one‑third of researchers and about 35 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates, a figure that has barely shifted in a decade. This untapped potential and equality gap is mirrored throughout agrifood systems, where women are a majority of agrifood workforce but are often unrecognized or unpaid for their work.

FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) hosted an "Innovation Policy Lab (IPL) Phase 1 Sensemaking Workshop" on December 23, bringing together policymakers, startups, researchers, and development partners. 

Local farmers in Colombia have long conserved and developed native seeds with distinctive traits, yet their contributions often went unrecognized and unrewarded because existing seed laws and policies—like those in many countries—were designed primarily to govern commercial seeds. Innovation Policy Labs (IPL), FAO’s newest policy-innovation tool, provides a structured, co‑creative approach to policy design, de‑risking, and implementation that can change that dynamic. 

Dar es Salaam – Africa’s push to accelerate sustainable agricultural mechanization gained fresh momentum today as the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mwigulu L. Nchemba, launched Tanzania’s National Agricultural Mechanization Strategy 2026–2036 at the opening of the Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Monday launched the Villages Recognition Initiative, which celebrates the vital role of rural villages in advancing sustainable agrifood systems, conserving biodiversity, preserving food traditions and local knowledge, and fostering inclusive rural transformation.

During the 2025 Science and Innovation Forum, the FAO Nudge Unit hosted a dynamic session entitled “The Cost of Less: Interactive Workshop on Scarcity, Decision-Making, and Food Security”. Katie Taft, Communications and Engagement Lead at Gates Ag One, opened the session with a reflection on the importance of mindsets in the adoption of innovations. Building on this theme, over 50 participants then engaged in a series of live experiments to illustrate how experiences of scarcity and abundance shape choices and behaviours. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have extended their long-standing partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing sustainable agrifood systems through science, innovation and policy support.

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.

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

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 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.

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. 

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.

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).