FAO Third Annual Academia Perspectives Roundtable

15 November 2021. FAO Third Annual Academia Perspectives Roundtable

The achievement of the ambitious FAO Strategic Framework (2022-2031) and in its reinvigorated business model requires new thinking, and approaches with its partners. Academia and research institutions (ARI), as innovation and knowledge hubs, are crucial partners for FAO in achieving the Organization’s vision and goals and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. 

As the Strategic Framework calls for an overhaul to its “business as usual” to achieve its aspirations, FAO is revisiting its approach to partnerships with ARI with a view of leveraging complementary strengths for more meaningful, targeted and impactful results.

The Roundtable informed participants on the FAO Strategic Framework, highlighted the need for stronger and strategic engagement with ARI at country-level, and bring a voice to ARI perspectives for transforming partnerships with FAO through the principles of Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life to achieve efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems.

• Opening remarks from Beth Bechdol, Deputy-Director General, FAO
• Setting the scene by Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, FAO
• Dr Nahla Hwalla, Professor of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
• Ms Zhai Lin, Division Chief for Multilateral Partnership, Department of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China.
• Dr David Shaw, Provost and Executive Vice President, Mississippi State University, USA.
• Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Ghana.
• Mr Marcello Scalisi, Director, Union of Mediterranean Universities, Italy.
• Moderated by Marcela Villarreal, PhD, Director, Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO.