Science and Innovation Forum 2026 Programme
MONDAY | 12 OCTOBER
Time (CEST)
Session title, location, detailed programme, webcast link
14.00 - 16.00
World Food Forum Grand Opening
location: Plenary Hall (A-335 INT)
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Interpretation available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
TUESDAY | 13 OCTOBER
14.00 - 16.00
Science and Innovation Forum Opening
Accelerating science & innovation for food security impacts
location: Plenary Hall (A-335 INT)
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Interpretation available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
16.00 - 16.30 Coffee break
16.30 - 18.00
Seeds of trust: rethinking science communication for food security
location: Plenary Hall (A-335 INT)
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Interpretation available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
WEDNESDAY | 14 OCTOBER
8.00 - 8.30 Breakfast
8.30 - 10.00
Lost in translation? Strengthening science–policy interfaces for evidence-informed decision-making
location: Green Room (A-127 bis)
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From Field to Future: Reimagining Agricultural Extension for Smallholder Food Security
location: Red Room (A-121 INT)
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10.30 - 12.00
Transformative Research Challenge Finals: Science for impact
location: Sheikh Zayed Centre (Ground Floor)
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12.30 - 13.30
Young Scientists Group Report Launch
location: Green Room (A-127 bis)
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Launch the fifth round of the Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa
location: Red Room (A-121 INT)
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14.00 - 16.00
Startup Innovation Awards Finals: Accelerating innovation, scaling impact
location: Sheikh Zayed Centre (Ground Floor)
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16.00 - 17.30
Growing the Future: Botanic Gardens as Agrifood Allies
location: Acceleration Zone (D085)
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THURSDAY | 15 OCTOBER
9.00 - 10.30
Drowning in data, starving for evidence-informed decisions: what futures for scientific evidence synthesis?
Location: Green Room Green Room (A-127 bis)
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Resilience to disasters & the next zoonotic pandemic: What can a One Health approach deliver?
location: Red Room (A-121 INT)
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10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 - 12.30
Broken by design? Rewiring investment & partnership models for research and innovation
location: Green Room (A-127 bis)
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Women Farmers in the Digital Age: From Access to Agency
location: Iran Room (B-116 bis)
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12.30 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30
Science & Innovation for water-efficient agrifood systems
location: Green Room (A-127 bis)
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How can entrepreneurship accelerate food security progress?
location Red Room: (A-121 INT)
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15.30 - 16.00 coffee break
16.00 - 17.30
Tipping points, cascading risks, and limits to adaptation for agrifood systems and food security
location Green Room (A-127 bis)
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AI Innovation for Agrifood Systems: Powering Transformation and Inclusive Investment
location: Red Room (A-121 INT)
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17.30 - 19.00
Science with ambition: accelerating early career impact on Food Security
location: Acceleration Zone (D085)
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FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER
11.30 - 12.30
Joint Feedback session
location: Iran Room (B-116 bis)
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14.00 - 17.00
World Food Forum Closing Ceremony
location: Plenary Hall (A-335 INT)
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