FAO and French research institutions: Science, research and innovation as cornerstones for agrifood systems transformation

FAO, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) partnered to organize a virtual session on the role of science and research for resilient, healthy and sustainable food systems.

The event was opened by FAO Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi, who highlighted the new FAO Strategy for Science, Research and Innovation as a powerful engine to transform agrifood systems and end hunger and malnutrition through strong institutions, good governance, political will, enabling regulatory frameworks and a prominent role for public-private partnerships.

Following her intervention, the webinar continued with panel discussions.

The first panel zoomed in on the Food Systems Assessment project, jointly developed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), the FAO Investment Centre and CIRAD. The panel brought together DG INTPA Head of Sector for Food and Agricultural Systems, Crisis and Resilience Philippe Thomas, CIRAD Senior Researcher Helene David-Benz, and Director of FAO’s Investment Center Mohamed Manssouri. The panel was moderated by Sandrine Dury, Deputy Director of the Environment and Societies.

Moderated by Marcela Villareal, FAO Director Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, the second panel comprised scientists, academics and members of civil society, who reflected on their role in supporting the transition to more sustainable food systems, especially in the context of growing crises around the globe. Insightful contributions were made by the Chair of the High Level Panel of Experts of the World Committee on Food Security Bernard Lehmann, Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain Philippe Baret, and INRAE Vice President for International Issues Jean-François Soussana.

In his closing remarks, FAO Brussels Director Raschad Al-Khafaji reinforced the importance of a multi-stakeholder partnership approach in order to make advances towards agrifood systems that are more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

You can read more about the Food Systems Assessment project here.

You can read more about FAO’s work in science, technology and innovation here.