SIF 2026 Side Events
The side events aim to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and partnership‑building across stakeholders, while amplifying youth leadership, showcasing science and innovation and advancing agrifood investment. Side events are expected to enrich discussions on agrifood systems transformation through interactive and solution‑oriented formats, fostering collaboration and action across sectors and generations.
TUESDAY | 13 OCTOBER
09.00-10.30
Austria Room (C-237)
AgriThreads: From farm to fashion innovation challenge
AgriThreads is an innovation challenge connecting agriculture, fashion and sustainability. Students design garments and products using sustainable fibres and biomaterials from FAO-supported projects and Member countries, including fish leather, banana fibre, pineapple fibre, sustainable wool and natural dyes. The challenge showcases how agrifood innovation can create circular value chains, support rural communities and shape the future of sustainable fashion.
Antonia Maioni President, John Cabot
Vincent Martin Director, Office of Innovation (OIN), FAO
11.00 - 12.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Rethinking Fertilizers and Soil Health
From uncertainty to resilience How can countries respond to fertilizer market uncertainty while building healthier soils and more resilient food systems? Drawing on policy, research and country experience, this side event explores practical solutions – from nutrient management and soil health approaches to smarter support systems – that can be adopted and scaled today. Participants will discuss what works in practice and the conditions needed to move proven solutions from pilot initiatives to impact at scale.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the UN Agencies in Rome
Jen Haugen
Head of Food, Agriculture, Land and Social Protection, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Kazuki Kitaoka
Director of the FAO Office of Youth and Women
Delphine Leconte-Demarsy
Fertilizer Market Specialist, FAO Investment Centre
Henry Webber
Senior Policy Officer, Fertilizer Policy UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Sergiy Zorya
Global Lead for Public Policies and Expenditures, World Bank Group
Moderator
Robyn Smith
Team Leader, Sustainable Food FCDO)
14.00 - 15.30
Philippine Room
Evaluating Readiness to Scale for Agricultural Water Innovations
Agricultural water innovations often stall between pilot and scale. Existing frameworks assess only technical maturity, neglecting the institutional, financial, policy, capacity and behavioural conditions that are essential for scaling. This workshop convenes investors, policymakers, researchers, programme designers, farmer organizations, entrepreneurs and youth to surface overlooked barriers and co-design a new approach that helps direct investments and policy decisions to have real impact.
Delgermaa Chuluunbaatar
Innovation Officer (ATIO), FAO
Daniela Giardina
Executive Director, MIT J-WAFS
Noormah Rizwan
Post-doc Fellow, MIT-J-WAFS
Moderators
Longzhen Han
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, MIT J-WAFS
Mohsin Hafeez
Strategic Program Director - Water, Food and Ecosystems, CGIAR/IWMI
Vinay Nangia
Research Program Director - Soils, Waters and Agronomy, CGIAR ICARDA
Abebe Chukalla
Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Irrigation Engineering, IHE Delft
Tavengwa Chitata
Lecturer/Researcher in Water Governance, IHE Delft
Leunell Chris Buela
Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Rosaida Dolce
Water and Environment Specialist, FAO Land and Water Division
Rohit Karnik
MIT J-WAFS Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Faculty Director of J-WAFS
Aditya Korekallu Srinivasa
ICAR - National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP) Senior Scientist;
16.00 - 17.30
Austria Room (C-237)
DIGICHILD: Geographic information systems innovation against child labour
Geographic information systems innovation against child labour DIGICHILD is an innovative FAO initiative using georeferenced data and predictive analytics to estimate child labour risks in agrifood systems. Active in Uganda and Honduras and expanding in Nepal and Peru, it supports smarter policies, responsible investment and more effective child labour prevention. Through dialogue, country insights and live demos, this side event will bring together policymakers, youth, private sector actors and partners to explore how digital public goods can drive more resilient, inclusive and responsible agrifood systems.
Adriano Bolchini
Child Labour Specialist, FAO
Johannes Luderich
Manager of the Due Diligence Fund, GIZ
Patricia Loh
Senior Analyst (Innovation Scaling, UN Global Pulse
Vincent Martin
Director, Office of Innovation, FAO
José Francisco Ordóñez
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras, Vice Minister for Coffee
Ana Patricia Galeas Vaquedano
National University of Agriculture of Honduras (UNAG)
Rudra Paudel
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment of Nepal
Sam Schechtman
Impact Manager, Sourcing and Social impact, JDE Peet’s
Moderator
Fabiana De Giorgio
Communication Specialist, FAO
WEDNESDAY | 14 OCTOBER
09.00 - 10.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Connecting Continents
From Climate Innovation to Impact across Africa and Asia-Pacific Connecting Continents’ brings together youth innovators from Africa and Asia-Pacific to showcase climate solutions for resilient agrifood systems. Through innovation pitches, interactive dialogue and networking, participants will exchange experiences, receive feedback from investors and ecosystem partners, and explore opportunities for collaboration, scaling and investment across regions.
Tshering Dema
Herder/ Pastoralist/ Chapter member, WFF Bhutan Chapter
Janarbold Jamts
Machine Learning Engineer, URECA
Joyce Rugano
CEO and Founder, Ecorich Solutions
Daouda Seck
Value Chain and Food Systems Specialist, Dev-Afrique Development Advisors
Moderators
Mas Dino Radin
Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change), FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF)
Janetta Carlucci
Social Policy Officer FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF)
Mohamed Langston Diagne
Junior Professional Officer, FAO Burundi
11.00 - 12.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Young Women Transforming Food Systems: Evidence, Innovation and Partnerships
Young women are key to transforming agrifood systems, yet they continue to face significant barriers. This interactive session presents new evidence from the CGIAR GENDER Accelerator flagship report and FFF GESI lessons, showcasing innovative, youth-led and gender-transformative solutions. Bringing together researchers, young women leaders, policymakers and investors, it will explore partnerships and investments needed to build equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems by 2050.
Jessica Heckert
Senior Research Fellow in the Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute
Gaudiose Mujawamariya
Africa Rice / CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Gender Focal Point/ Youth Thrive Lead
Kenedy Lyatuu
Farmer and Founder of AfroHarvest Ventures, Youth Board member, ProVeg International
Lucia Gerbaldo
Gender and Social Inclusion Expert at FAO Forest and Farm Facility
Elisabetta Gotorr
Director, Land Resource Economics Unit, and Program Leader, Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis for Impact, Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT
Sumeiya Juma
Co-founder and CEO of DroughtSmart
Moderator
Vivian Nerea Atakos
Policy and Advocacy Lead, CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Global Engagement
14.00 - 15.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Women in agrifood systems: breaking barriers at the frontlines of crises
This interactive and youth-centred event will convene crisis-affected young women and men, women farmers, policymakers, resource partners and humanitarian actors to examine the role of gender-responsive agriculture in food crisis and fragile contexts. The session will explore the challenges women, in particular young women, face in fragile contexts and how investing in women farmers in emergencies contributes not only to livelihood protection, but to resilience, social cohesion and peace-responsive recovery. The discussion will move beyond narratives of vulnerability to highlight women’s and youth leadership, economic agency and stabilizing role within households and communities affected by crisis.
Jessica Heckert
Senior Research Fellow in the Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute
Gaudiose Mujawamariya
Africa Rice / CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Gender Focal Point/ Youth Thrive Lead
Kenedy Lyatuu
Farmer and Founder of AfroHarvest Ventures, Youth Board member, ProVeg International
Lucia Gerbaldo
Gender and Social Inclusion Expert at FAO Forest and Farm Facility
Elisabetta Gotorr
Director, Land Resource Economics Unit, and Program Leader, Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis for Impact, Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT
Sumeiya Juma
Co-founder and CEO of DroughtSmart
Moderator
Vivian Nerea Atakos
Policy and Advocacy Lead, CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Global Engagement
16.00 - 17.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Turning National Agrifood Systems Investment Plans Into Action
This event showcases scalable innovations in policy design and implementation that foster alignment across programmes in support of National Agrifood Systems Investment Plans under CAADP's Kampala Declaration. Drawing on FAO's Facilitator's Handbook, policymakers and practitioners will share a systems approach that aligns policy objectives with private sector needs and boosts investment to generate jobs for youths in agrifood systems.
Corinna Hawkes
Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF), FAO
Chantal Ingabire
Director General for Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI),Rwanda
Siobhan Kelly
Agribusiness Officer, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO
H.E. Elizabeth McCullough
Ambassador (Permanent Representative) of Ireland to the Rome Based Agencies (RBAs)
Bernard Mumba
Chief Agriculture Economist, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
Harry O'Crowley
Head of International Development, UN and SDGs Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Ireland
Estherine Lisinge Fotobang
Director of Programme Implementation and Coordination, Agriculture and Rural Transformation, AUDA-NEPAD
Francisco Meza
Director of Strategies for Behavior Change, Ministry of Health, Mexico
Oscar Chita
Director, Project Management and Monitoring, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
Moderator
Nomathemba Mhlanga
Agribusiness Officer, Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (FAO SFE)
THURSDAY | 15 OCTOBER
9.00 - 10.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Youth-forward investment in sustainable food systems
Empowering young people is essential for agrifood systems transformation. Unlocking their potential requires investment in innovative approaches that create green and blue jobs while delivering environmental and climate benefits. Building on the GEF Food Systems Integrated Program, co-led by FAO and IFAD, this session will showcase practical investment models that governments, donors, development banks and the private sector can scale to accelerate sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
Bola Adeniji
General Manager, Olam Agri, Nigeria
Piedad Martín
Deputy Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
Peter Mbanda Umunay
Umunay Thematic Lead, Food Systems and Land Use, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Poojitha Reddy Nellipudi
Co-Founder, CEO, Ceres FieldCheck / WFF Innovation Lab
Genna Tesdall
Director, YPARD
Juan Carlos Mendoza
Director, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD
Clara Kamlomo
Amazing B Projects Limited, Malawi Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Gashayija
Kilimo Trust Rwanda Officer-In-Charge (OIC)
Moderator
Ajuna Tadeo
Program Coordinator, YPARD
11.00 - 12.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Empowering women and the next generation of forest entrepreneurs
This event highlights approaches that empower women and young producers as entrepreneurs and leaders in forest and farm systems, building sustainable, inclusive and resilient livelihoods. In the International Year of the Woman Farmer, it showcases lessons from the project Strengthening Institutional Capacities to Train the Next Generation of Forest and Farm Producers and Practitioners and the AIM4Forests Young Forest Champions initiative. Case studies show how capacity development and knowledge exchange strengthen leadership, income opportunities and gender equality.
Afi Olive Amossou
Entrepreneur REJEPPAT, Togo
Ruth Atchoglo
Project Facilitator, FAO Togo
Mauro Bottaro
Gender and Social Safeguards Specialist, FAO
Sandra Viviana Tux Can
Young farmer, FEDECOVERA, Guatemala
Emerson Espinoza
Young Forest Champions (Peru)
Julian Fox
Team leader, FAO Forestry Division (NFO)
Mukuka Kabanshi
Young Forest Champion (Zambia) Food Heroes Network, Zambia
Norah Kimathi
Young Forest Champion (Kenya), Zerobionic, Kenya
Vincent Martin
Director, FAO Office of Innovation (OIN)
Cristina Petracchi
Head of FAO E-learning Academy, Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), FAO
Anne Sophie Poisot
Agricultural Officer, FAO Office of Innovation (OIN)
Katalin Solymosi
Senior Forestry Advisor, BMLEH
Ericson Sserwadda
Young Forest Champion (Uganda)
Wilson Ottoniel Delgado Stubbs
Project Manager, FEDECOVERA, Guatemala
Tashya Arifiani Tashya
Young Forest Champion (Indonesia), Green Initiative Foundation
Ewald Rametsteiner
NFO Deputy Director
Moderators
Javier Bravo
Local Youth Action Specialist, FAO Office of Youth and Women (OYW)
Suzanne Philips
FAO Innovation Officer, Office of Innovation (OIN)
11.00 - 12.30
Phillipine Room
Two sides of the deal - What it takes to COMMIT capital for agri-investors
This session connects entrepreneurs, investors and partners at the World Food Forum to explore practical pathways for financing and investment in agribusiness and food systems, including young women-led enterprises. Through a candid investor dialogue, participants will explore how investment decisions are made, what makes a business truly investment-ready, and why deals get declined. An interactive Capital Circles exercise brings theory into practice, allowing participants to engage directly with funders across equity, debt, grants and blended finance models. The session fosters open dialogue, explores common gaps between investor expectations and business realities, and equips entrepreneurs with actionable insights to more effectively structure and position their businesses for investment.
Bettina Iseli
Chief Program Officer, Welthungerhilfe
Bernhard van Lengerich
Founder, Seeding the Future Foundation
Brent Malahay
Chief Strategy Officer, Equity Bank, Kenya
Ivan Mandela
Co-founder & CEO, SHONA Capital
Cheyo Mwenechanya
Group Director Food and Agriculture, Equity Bank
Donna Rosa
Founder and Chief Entrepreneurship Officer/Panelist, Efour Enterprises
Victoria Sabula
Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF, Kenya
Julie Wynn
Partner, MLL
Nadav Berger
PeakBridge Venture Capital Co-founder
Moderator
Robynne Anderson
President, EmergingAg
12.45 - 14.00
Austria Room (C-237)
From Pathways to Investment Readiness
National Pathways set out countries’ food systems priorities, but turning them into coordinated, financeable and investment-ready action remains a major challenge. This session introduces the Agrifood Systems Accelerator, a country-led coalition helping governments move from priorities to implementation through diagnostics, integrated action design and connections to financing partners. Drawing on country examples from Africa and Asia, speakers will explore what it takes to turn pathways into investable action.
Ousmane Badiane
Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA206
H.E. Krisztina Bende
Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Organisations in Rome
Steve Godfrey
Director of Policy, GAIN
H.E. Henry Musa Kpaka
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sierra Leone
H.E. J. Alexander Nuetah
Minister of Agriculture, Liberia
Gérardine Mukeshimana
Vice-President, IFAD
H.E. Eric Opoku
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Ghana
Alice Ruhweza
President, AGRAH.E. Bright Rwamirama
Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda
Dr. Andreas Schaumayer
Head of Division for Food Security and Water, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Moderator
Corinna Hawkes
Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO
16.00 - 17.30
Austria Room (C-237)
Innovation Policy Lab: How can we rethink women's access to finance in forestry? Lessons from Forest and Farm Facility
How can we rethink women's access to finance in forestry? Lessons from Forest and Farm Facility This side event will explore how inclusive forest and farm bioeconomies can drive agrifood systems transformation beyond technology. Drawing on FFF GESI lessons, FAO Innovation Policy Labs and Nepal’s women-led biofertilizer case study, it will highlight how co-creation, local knowledge, circular bioeconomy and investment-ready community enterprises can empower women, youth and marginalized groups while strengthening livelihoods, soil health and climate resilience.
Carlos Amaya
Governor of the Department of Boyacá, Government of Colombia
Lucia Gerbaldo
Gender and Social Inclusion Expert, FAO Forestry Division (NFO)
Vincent Martin
Director, Office of Innovation, FAO
Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova
Innovation Policy Lab facilitator, Office of Innovation, FAO
Zhimin Wu
Director, NFO, FAO
Erica Pohnan
Programme Management and Technical Specialist, FAO Forestry Division (NFO)
17.45 - 18.45
Austria Room (C-237)
Partnerships and knowledge for agrifood transformation in Latin America
The event will showcase FAO Campus’s vision, partnerships, and capacity development results in Latin America and the Caribbean, and it will also highlight FAO elearning Academy´s work in the region, and results achieved under the Four Betters Courses Initiative. Presentations will include joint experiences with partners from academia, projects with government offices, and trainings on FPIC, under the vision of promoting focused public policies and enabling environments for investments.
Youth Representative of the Regional Youth Food Lab Latin America, Independent
Karina Crespo
FAO Campus Coordinator, FAO
Rene Orellana Halkyer
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC)
Cristina Petracchi
FAO elearning Academy Leader
Lauren Michelle Phillips
FAO Director of Partnerships and UN Collaboration
Pablo Rabczuk
Senior Programme Officer and Chief of Staff of the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Francis Denisse Mclean Rodriguez
Associate Professor, Zamorano University, Honduras
Thais Vieira
Director, Luiz de Queiroz
College of Agriculture (Esalq/USP), University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil