Out now! News from North America - October 2023
©©FAO/Ishara Kodikara
10/10/2023
Check the NEWSLETTER here
Methane emission reduction mapping, sustainable livestock transformation, food loss and waste awareness, sustainable agricultural mechanization, integrated water resource management, and expansion of an innovative global water monitoring system have been the focus of recent high-level dialogues at FAO headquarters.
From the breadth of these discussions, we could conclude that the challenges facing the goal of agrifood systems transformation are vast and daunting. At FAO, our approach is to seek solutions, synergies and practical solutions to these broad-ranging issues. I encourage you to scroll down and read through this month’s featured articles to get a clearer picture of the calls to action and innovations being introduced by FAO to achieve the transformation of agrifood systems for a food-secure future.
In late-September, the Director-General and the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation of the USDA, Mr. Robert Bonnie, shared their views on the importance of science, technology, innovation, and private sector engagement for sustainable agricultural production. Mr. Bonnie was at the FAO headquarters in Rome to participate in the FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation and the FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.
Given the US’s leadership role in science and innovation in agrifood systems, it is an honor to be welcoming the USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE), Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young next week for the World Food Forum, where she will participate in the high-level opening session of the Science and Innovation Forum as well as the Global Youth Forum. Dr. Jacobs Young has previously spoken extensively about the importance of inclusion and representation. So, it is with great interest that we will be listening to her discussion on “Bridging Generations: Empowering Young Scientists for Agrifood Innovation.”
We are also delighted that North America will be represented at the World Global Youth Forum by Canadian and American delegates, including students from George Washington University and delegates from the United Nations Association in Canada.
Additionally, mark your calendars October 17th to the 20th for the Second Session of the Biennial UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF). Over 200 Indigenous Youth from seven socio-cultural regions will convene in the Nomad Sámi Indigenous Tent at the FAO headquarters. The UNGIYF aims to address the challenges, priorities, and proposals regarding the future of Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems within the context of Climate and Biodiversity action. Scroll down to find out about this year's agenda.
Happening in North America
Each year, the Borlaug Dialogue/World Food Prize draws participants from governments, the private sector, academia and civil society to Des Moines, Iowa. This year’s theme “Harnessing Change” will focus on harnessing innovation, adaptation, and diversification to improve systemic resilience, recover from shocks, and sustainably nourish all people. The 2023 Laureate Heidi Kühn of the United States will receive the 2023 World Food Prize for her farmer-focused development model that revitalizes farmland, food security, livelihoods and resilience after devastating conflict.
FAO will be taking center stage this year with the in-person participation of Director-General QU Dongyu, who will be giving a keynote address on October 24. Also representing FAO will be the Director of Innovation Vincent Martin who will participate in break-out session as well as have the opportunity to meet with innovators from land grant universities and the private sector. FAO will host an exhibitor booth on the 4th floor. So, if you will be attending the event, which takes place from October 24th through the 26th, please stop by our booth. Or, visit our virtual booth here!
Methane emission reduction mapping, sustainable livestock transformation, food loss and waste awareness, sustainable agricultural mechanization, integrated water resource management, and expansion of an innovative global water monitoring system have been the focus of recent high-level dialogues at FAO headquarters.
From the breadth of these discussions, we could conclude that the challenges facing the goal of agrifood systems transformation are vast and daunting. At FAO, our approach is to seek solutions, synergies and practical solutions to these broad-ranging issues. I encourage you to scroll down and read through this month’s featured articles to get a clearer picture of the calls to action and innovations being introduced by FAO to achieve the transformation of agrifood systems for a food-secure future.
In late-September, the Director-General and the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation of the USDA, Mr. Robert Bonnie, shared their views on the importance of science, technology, innovation, and private sector engagement for sustainable agricultural production. Mr. Bonnie was at the FAO headquarters in Rome to participate in the FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation and the FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.
Given the US’s leadership role in science and innovation in agrifood systems, it is an honor to be welcoming the USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE), Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young next week for the World Food Forum, where she will participate in the high-level opening session of the Science and Innovation Forum as well as the Global Youth Forum. Dr. Jacobs Young has previously spoken extensively about the importance of inclusion and representation. So, it is with great interest that we will be listening to her discussion on “Bridging Generations: Empowering Young Scientists for Agrifood Innovation.”
We are also delighted that North America will be represented at the World Global Youth Forum by Canadian and American delegates, including students from George Washington University and delegates from the United Nations Association in Canada.
Additionally, mark your calendars October 17th to the 20th for the Second Session of the Biennial UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF). Over 200 Indigenous Youth from seven socio-cultural regions will convene in the Nomad Sámi Indigenous Tent at the FAO headquarters. The UNGIYF aims to address the challenges, priorities, and proposals regarding the future of Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems within the context of Climate and Biodiversity action. Scroll down to find out about this year's agenda.
Happening in North America
Each year, the Borlaug Dialogue/World Food Prize draws participants from governments, the private sector, academia and civil society to Des Moines, Iowa. This year’s theme “Harnessing Change” will focus on harnessing innovation, adaptation, and diversification to improve systemic resilience, recover from shocks, and sustainably nourish all people. The 2023 Laureate Heidi Kühn of the United States will receive the 2023 World Food Prize for her farmer-focused development model that revitalizes farmland, food security, livelihoods and resilience after devastating conflict.
FAO will be taking center stage this year with the in-person participation of Director-General QU Dongyu, who will be giving a keynote address on October 24. Also representing FAO will be the Director of Innovation Vincent Martin who will participate in break-out session as well as have the opportunity to meet with innovators from land grant universities and the private sector. FAO will host an exhibitor booth on the 4th floor. So, if you will be attending the event, which takes place from October 24th through the 26th, please stop by our booth. Or, visit our virtual booth here!