B7 - Leading the Transitions Together Charting a New Course for Global Cooperation Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Digital and Artificial Intelligence transitions, as well as the Climate, Energy, and Environmental transitions are reshaping our world and are critical for the transformation of global agrifood systems as they transition to become more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable. But we must ensure that these transitions leave no one behind.

The transformation of global agrifood systems is critical to FAO's mandate and our commitment to eradicate hunger and poverty, by supporting our Members achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am pleased to be able to address these critical cross-cutting transitions with you today as they impact our economies, societies, and lives – especially for the most vulnerable groups.

The emergence of new digital technologies are challenging humanity in unprecedented ways.

The Digital Revolution affects us all and we need to take collective action to leverage its benefits, while being aware of the risks and challenges it poses if not implemented in a safe and ethical way.

We need a strong governance framework to ensure the responsible use of AI for all.

FAO is among the first signatories of the Rome Call for AI Ethics in February 2020, and continuously advocates its principles to ensure AI systems are reliable and secure and are farmer-centric and human-controlled.

FAO fully recognizes the transformative forces of AI across the agrifood sectors for improved efficiency and sustainability, and to support data-driven decisions for effective natural resources management and climate adaptation.

FAO’s vision is to actively leverage AI to optimize the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Digital Agriculture can revolutionize how we produce, distribute, and consume food.

AI applications in agriculture can optimize processes, enhance quality inspection and classification, and support sustainable investment and innovation.

Farmers can benefit from real-time information and data, ensuring fair prices for their produce, minimizing food loss and waste, and maximizing efficiencies by adjusting planting and optimizing yields.

Digital technologies and AI can also improve tracking from farm to consumer, thus enhancing food safety, and consumers can know the environmental footprint and nutritional value of what they buy.

Finally, digital tools can stimulate the adoption of better seeds, fertilizers, and sustainable practices, benefiting both farmers and consumers. This digital revolution has, however, not benefited everyone equally.

Uneven participation, lack of resources, inadequate digital infrastructure and digital illiteracy persist, leaving some behind and widening the digital divide between countries.

AI adoption should benefit all. This can be achieved through better education, training, and community engagement, and by charting a new course for global cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A fundamental requirement of AI technology is Data. FAO recognizes that quality data is a key accelerator for agrifood systems transformation. Data is central to the FAO Strategic Framework, and we have taken actions to improve the governance of our data, increase our data assets, and make our databases more accessible to the public.

FAO has long been a leader in data transitions and modernization of statistics and provides the leading source for food and agricultural statistics worldwide through the FAO Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT).

As well as other more technical databases on fishery and aquaculture statistics; on water resources and their use; on forest resources assessment; and on genetic resources for plants and animals, among others.

Furthermore, we have created a Data Lab to experiment with new data sources and collection methods, which has enabled FAO to extract new data insights on food loss and waste and food prices, and to support countries in producing land cover and crop maps from geospatial information.

Achieving transitions through data requires significant investment in national and global data ecosystems, and effective collaboration, and FAO stands ready to collaborate with the B7 group and the private sector for investments and partnerships on data, which is one of the key priorities set out in the FAO Strategy for Engagement with the Private Sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In charting a new course in global cooperation, it is important to address the issues of climate, energy, and environmental transitions in the context of agrifood systems. 

We should recognize the important role that agriculture plays as both a contributor to, and being impacted by, the climate crisis.

From emissions to deforestation, to natural resources scarcity, agriculture is closely linked to climate dynamics.

And we need to recognize the immense potential of agriculture in mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis.

In parallel with mitigation efforts, adaptation strategies are crucial to strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems.

Energy is also needed at every stage of agrifood systems.

Decarbonization by 2050 is simply not possible without addressing energy consumption across agrifood systems.

Energy-smart agrifood systems offer a solution to both the food and climate crises.

Our agrifood systems must be transformed to ensure we are able to feed a global population of nearly 10 billion people by 2050, while staying within the 1.5-degree limit of global warming. At COP28, the FAO published a roadmap for achieving this goal.

By charting a new course for global cooperation on climate and energy transition in agrifood systems, we can harness their potential to contribute to food security, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability for future generations.

To do this, we need to strengthen international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, support climate finance mechanisms for agriculture, and mainstream climate considerations into agricultural policies and investments at all levels, including through an appropriate role for the private sector.

For example, FAO signed a MoU with the Government of Italy aimed at enhancing collaboration on climate action in agriculture, and we are actively participating in the G20 Energy Transition Working Group.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Cooperation with industry and private sector actors in this climate and energy transition is crucial. But we need to work together.

A recent FAO analysis shows that 41% of the updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, have a specific mention for private sector activities - of that, 66% make specific reference to engaging with the private sector in agricultural sectors.

The main challenge is that agriculture requires substantial climate finance to enable climate transitions, yet it has seen declining finance from 40% to 20% between 2000 and 2021, with private sector investment being limited.

The private sector has a critical role to play in strengthening resilience within agricultural value chains and reducing emissions from their supply chains.

By investing in climate-smart technologies, companies can mitigate risks, increase productivity, and ensure business continuity.

However, private sector investment is currently not as ambitious as it should be for climate action. Industry players need to step up and show more accountability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global economy is undergoing significant transformations, and we must navigate these transitions with a whole-of-society approach, ensuring that everyone benefits, especially in terms of economic security and sustainability.

Transformative partnerships must be at the heart of our work as we chart a new course for global cooperation.

Thank you.