Page 4 - Vol.37-No.6 issue

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ARE

KEY TO AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION
EDITORIAL

Science, technology and innovation are essential to 7KH &KDLU RI WKH 6FLHQWLÞF *URXS IRU WKH 81 )RRG 6\V-
accelerate the transformation of gri-food systems and tems Summit, Joachim von Braun echoed the need for
combat hunger and malnutrition, the Director-General science to be culturally sensitive, pledging the respect
of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United that the 28 scientists who make up the group have for
Nations (FAO, said. indigenous, traditional and citizen-based knowledge.
The Director-General was speaking at the opening of During the Science Days, around 3000 participants
the Science Days, a virtual conference organized by the from the public and private sector, research institutions
6FLHQWLÞF *URXS RI WKH 81 )RRG 6\VWHPV 6XPPLW DQG ID- and civil society will examine how science, technolo-
cilitated and hosted by FAO (8-9 July). gy and innovation can better contribute to achieving
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Stressing the need to adopt a holistic, coordinated
approach to transform agri-food systems, Qu added: silient and sustainable agri-food systems to meet the UN
Sustainable Development Goals.
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of the keys for this transformation. We need science to The conference will discuss issues such as bioscienc-
identify synergies and trade-offs, and to advance evi- es, digitalization in agri-food systems, the need for more
dence-based policymaking.” investment in science and innovation, increasing the
engagement of small-scale food producers, indigenous
He underscored how innovation encompasses techno-
peoples, women, youth and the private sector in agri-
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sions as well as new ways of thinking and collaborating. food systems transformation.
“To reach impact at scale, we must develop new and “We need new business models to deploy innovation
transformative partnerships, including with the private widely and we need to democratize access to science
sector and civil society.” the FAO Director-General said. and innovation, leaving no one behind.”
“We need to listen to the farmers, not just to the scien-
7KH 6FLHQWLÞF *URXS ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG E\ WKH 81 DV DQ
tists.”
independent body of leading researchers from around
UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohamed, not- the world to ensure the robustness and independence of
ed that to transform food systems it is not enough to think the science that underpins the UN Food Systems Summit
only of enhancing productivity, but that the relationship and its outcomes.
with human and planetary health must be taken into ac- Members of the Group have put forward a set of sci-
count. She also pointed to the importance of incorporat-
ence-driven innovations to catalyze and accelerate food
ing evidence and experience from indigenous peoples’ systems transformation to achieve the Summit goals and
food systems and that all constituencies, particularly
end hunger. Innovations include bioscience and digi-
women and youth are recognized and empowered.
tal innovations to improve people’s diets and health,
Addressing the event, UN Special Envoy for the Food enhance agricultural productivity, accessibility and af-
Systems Summit, Agnes Kalibata, emphasized how food, fordability, as well as to restore ecological well-being.
culture and identity are closely linked, the importance The UN Food Systems Summit is being convened to
of local contexts in food systems-transformation and the
raise global awareness and to spearhead action for an
role of science to provide a basis for factually correct equitable and healthy future for all, and one that gives
evidence that will inform policy and investment deci-
voice to citizens in every country of the world.
sions.

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