FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022 (2)

17 - 21 October 2022 FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022 

The forum highlighted the centrality of science, technology and innovation for agrifood systems transformation.

DAY 2: Extracts of the programme 

19/10 11:00 – 12:45 Investments in agricultural research for development: Are we on the right track?

AGENDA | Webcast | UN WebTV

Investments in agricultural research remains extremely low, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries. For every 100 dollars of agricultural GDP, only between 34 and 72 cents are being spent on agricultural research and development. The investment is uneven, as very few high-income countries were responsible for almost 60 percent while low-income countries’ was just 2 percent of the global total. This special event provided a global overview of the current situation regarding investments in agricultural research for development and future demand and prospects. 

• Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief, Nature Food 
• Kanayo Felix Nwanze, Chairman and Chief Executive, FAYODE 
• Dr Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist, USAID 
• Gert-Jan Stads, Senior Program Manager International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), USA
• Keith Fuglie, Senior Economist, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USA 
• Philip Pardey, Director, International Science and Technology Practice and Policy Center, University of Minnesota, USA 
• Martin Kropff, CGIAR Global Director of the Resilient Agri-food Systems Science Area (RAFS) CGIAR System Management Office, France 
• Diego Canga Fanon, Director for outreach, research and geographical indications, European Commission, Belgium 
• Alice Karanja, ICRAF, Kenya

19/10 SM01 - Opening of the Science and Innovation Forum: Are we doing enough to achieve the SDGs?

Science and innovation are powerful components of evidence-based decision-making at all levels and key to transforming agrifood systems as affirmed by the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). The opening session of the science and innovation forum with the Chief Scientists of the UN agencies will focus on how Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) can contribute and provide innovative solutions to achieve the SDGs, with due consideration to social and ethical dimensions, leaving no one behind.

See the recording

19/10 16:00 – 17:45 Science, Policy and Society Interface: Challenges and opportunities

AGENDA | Webcast | UN WebTV

The session highlighted the challenges and opportunities on how good interaction and excellent working relationships are crucial to successfully influencing or initiating change with participation of policymakers, scientists and society.

• Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim Former president of Mauritius Keynote speech: Science–Policy–Society Interface: Opportunities and challenges
• Asia Mohamed Vice-Chair The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
• Patrick Caron CGIAR System Board Member & Vice President for International Affairs at the University of Montpellier
  
• Abdalah Mokssit Secretary, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• Hilal Elver Formerly UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Food & Member of the Steering Committee of the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) at the World Committee of Food Security and Nutrition (CFS)
• Patrick Webb Professor at Tufts University

19/10 18:00 – 20:00 Science, Innovation & Investments for Transformative Food Systems Pathways

AGENDA | Webcast | UN WebTV

This event showcased the transformative potential of specific science-based interventions, innovations and investment approaches that can support countries to implement their national Agrifood Systems pathways within their overall efforts to achieve the SDGs. The event featured the launch of the Scientific Advisory Group of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and will introduce the Youth and Indigenous People focal points for the Hub.

Opening and High Level UN Panel

• Stefanos Fotiou Director, Office of the SDGs and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Ms. Amina J. Mohammed UN Deputy Secretary-General
  
• Dr QU Dongyu FAO Director General
• Mr. Alvaro Lario President, IFAD  

Investing in food systems transformations

• Moderator: Maximo Torero Chief Economist, FAO

The power of science on transforming food systems

• Moderator: Ismahane Elouafi Chief Scientist, FAO
• Joachim von Braun Director Center for Development Research (ZEF) University of Bonn Germany
• Liu Guodao Vice President Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) China
• Ruben Echeverria Senior Advisor - Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation USA
• Jennifer Clapp Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability Faculty of Environment University of Waterloo Canada