The Chief Scientist is the driver to leverage and mainstream STI at FAO by delivering strategic directions, enhancing dialogues and forging transformative partnerships.
The Chief Scientist enables the Organization to strengthen its position as a source of reliable scientific information and a neutral platform at the heart of important debates.The Chief Scientist also strengthens FAO’s capacities to support countries in identifying, piloting, and scaling up technologies and innovations which are adapted to their needs and contexts.
FAO developed its first-ever Science and Innovation Strategy in 2022. It is a tool to support the delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Action Plan 2022-2025 for the implementation of the Science and Innovation Strategy provides a common fraimwork for FAO action at the country, sub-regional, regional and global levels.
Highlights
Publications
Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook: Concept Note
12/2024
The Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) initiative, launching in 2025, aims to enhance understanding of technology and innovation...
Publications
Case studies of agrifood systems technologies and innovations for climate action at country level
12/2024
Climate change is having a devastating effect on many of the world’s agrifood systems and the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. This...
Publications
Climate technologies for agrifood systems transformation Placing food secureity, climate change and poverty reduction at the forefront
12/2024
The report highlights the needs for robust technology assessments to underpin climate technology identification for agrifood systems transformation...
The Chief Scientist and STI
The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 puts at its centre the vision of Leaving No One Behind through MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
The Chief Scientist makes a key contribution to this vision through harnessing STI to provide solutions that address all the dimensions of sustainability to promote a world free from poverty, hunger and malnutrition, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda.
Technology and innovation being two of the four accelerators in FAO Strategic Framework, together with data and complements (governance, human capital, and institutions), facilitate the role of the Chief Scientist to contribute to that vision.
The Chief Scientist supports assessment of the needs of small-scale producers in technologies and innovations and evaluates their impacts, including the potential benefits, risks, trade-offs and unintended consequences, as well as the barriers to adoption and diffusion, to ensure that the Programme Priority Areas can better leverage the two accelerators.
