World Food Forum: FAO Director-General underscores the importance of youth engagement, scientific knowledge and investment in transforming agrifood systems

Rome – The scientific community, young people and investors are critical to bringing about a transformation in agrifood systems, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu said on Wednesday.

Speaking at an event titled “Science, Innovation & Investments for Transformative Food Systems Pathways” the Director General emphasized on the need for collective action to produce change.

“Together, united as one UN system, our goal is to support countries in making their agrifood systems transformations a reality on the ground, as quickly and as inclusively as possible. But this will not happen without the meaningful engagement of the youth, without science, and without proper investments,” Qu said. 

He introduced two Impact Panels: one on investments and another on science, technology, and innovation. The former was moderated by FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero. While the second was moderated by FAO Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi.

“Both panels will showcase how the global community can inclusively tap into new opportunities to build forward together towards a better future,” the Director-General added.

Science, innovation, and investments are a particular focus of the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. The Hub’s role is to support countries to further develop and implement their national food systems transformation pathways.

The event showcased how specific science-based interventions, innovations and investment approaches could support countries efforts to national work on their national agrifood systems to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“In times of multiple crises, we need bold solutions and actions across our agrifood systems to ensure the SDGs become a shared reality,” Director-General Qu said.