Exhibition in FAO's Atrium showcases how innovation and digitization are driving transformation of agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia

Rome – On the sidelines of the 34th Session of the Regional Conference for Europe (ERC34), FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, together with Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Bolea, today inaugurated an exhibition that showcased how innovation and digitization are driving transformation of agrifood systems in the region.

Also in attendance at the exhibition site in the atrium of FAO’s headquarters was FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, Viorel Gutu.

In line with the theme of ERC34 on the role of innovation and digitization in the sustainable use of natural resources, the AgriInnovate exhibition aims to raise awareness on the importance of these issues. On display were innovative practices and solutions that have proven effective in addressing the challenges, facing agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia, as well as practical and field-tested approaches that are driving sustainable development and transformation of agrifood systems.

The Director-General visited the various booths where video testimonies from the field, immersive virtual reality experiences, information materials, images and expert narratives, provide an insight into the future pathways of sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

The AgriInnovate exhibition allow visitors to discover first-hand how FAO initiatives such as the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative and the Digital Villages initiative are having a huge impact on the transformation of agrifood systems in many countries of Europe and Central Asia.

OCOP is pioneering the promotion of sustainable food value chains by prioritizing special agricultural products deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the initiative's member countries. Qu, during his tour of the exhibition, was able to see and taste some of these products, such as special wines from Georgia, fine walnuts from Kyrgyzstan, table grapes from Moldova, raspberries from Serbia, apricots from Tajikistan, figs from Türkiye, sweet cherries from Uzbekistan and apples from Kazakhstan.

The exhibition also promoted the Digital Villages Initiative, with dedicated booths, information material and videos from the field illustrating how many rural communities are learning to make smart use of digital technologies to improve agricultural production, access rural services and increase their livelihoods, with countries like Albania, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan leading the charge.

Other stands were dedicated to the AgriTech Observatory and the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture. The AgriTech Observatory is a virtual space, established by FAO's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, that guides users through the realm of digital agriculture initiatives in Europe and Central Asia. As a knowledge hub, the observatory can help monitor developments in digital agriculture, conduct regional and national analyses, inform decision-making processes and programmes, and guide investment decisions. The regional technical platform is a knowledge repository that facilitates connections between networks of experts in various technical areas related to green agriculture.

The exhibition will be on display in the FAO Atrium until May 17, promoted as part of the 34th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC34), organized by the Republic of Moldova.