In a momentous move towards enhancing transformative partnerships, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Science Council (ISC) signed a Letter of Intent on October 31 to bolster science-policy interfaces for agrifood systems.

Collective expertise of FAO and ISC will accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in eradicating hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

“Collaborations like this one between FAO and ISC are key to the implementation of the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy, as transformative partnerships are one of the enablers of the strategy, “said Beth Crawford, Chief Scientist ad interim of FAO.

Crawford underscored that FAO aims to strengthen its contributions to science-policy interfaces at national, regional, and global levels, as indicated by the strategy.

“Under this partnership, FAO looks forward to joint actions with ISC to promote the integration of science and evidence into policy-making processes; promoting joint advocacy and high-level outreach in the areas of science, technology and innovation for the transformation of agrifood systems,” the Chief Scientist ad interim added.

“The transformations of our agrifood systems will require strong science-policy-society collaborations that bring different knowledges and experiences together to co-construct a more resilient and sustainable future," said Salvatore Aricò, Chief Executive Officer of ISC.

"The new cooperation agreement signed between FAO and the ISC is a major opportunity to strengthen the role of science in informing decision-making and supporting transformative actions,” Aricò added.

The collaboration between FAO and ISC holds great promise in amplifying the crucial role of science and evidence in addressing critical global issues. By pooling our scientific expertise, FAO and ISC are poised to catalyze robust and informed discussions on these pressing matters, ensuring that science remains at the forefront of global policy-making efforts for agrifood systems.

The International Science Council is a global non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization working at the global level to catalyze and convene scientific expertise, advice, and influence on major issues of concern to both science and society.

The first ever FAO Science and Innovation Strategy was endorsed by FAO Council in 2022. Transformative partnerships along with innovative funding and financing are two enablers of the strategy.

For more information, please visit the FAO Science, Technology, and Innovation website.