Advancing science and innovation for sustainable agrifood systems at the 2026 STI Forum

New York - From 2 to 7 May 2026, FAO Chief Scientist Charles Martin Spillane participated in the 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum). During his mission, he took part in a series of FAO-led events and high-level bilateral meetings at United Nations headquarters, contributing to discussions on the role of science and innovation in accelerating agrifood systems transformation.

Empowering youth and driving inclusive agricultural innovation

On 5 May, he spoke at the FAO virtual side event Youth Voices for Smart Farming, highlighting the crucial role of young people in transforming agrifood systems amid challenges affecting global food security. He emphasized that "science, technology and innovation offer unprecedented opportunities to transform how we produce food - and getting smarter tools into the hands of a younger, better-supported generation of farmers is central to that challenge." He called for greater investment in youth, particularly young women, to support their full participation as drivers of agricultural innovation.

Later that morning, he delivered opening remarks at the side event Transformative and Equitable Agricultural Technology for the 2030 Agenda and a Sustainable Future at United Nations headquarters. He highlighted that while there are any number of advanced technologies deployable today, these technologies alone cannot address the issues we face when it comes to accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems and progress towards the 2030 Agenda a.

"Technology is critically necessary, but it's not sufficient. What delivers systemic change is the right technology paired with the right institutions, incentives and enabling environments."

On 6 May, he spoke in STI Forum Session 1, Transforming Water Systems with Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasizing the role of science, technology and innovation in ensuring a more sustainable use of water within agrifood systems maximizing co-benefits, managing tradeoffs and minimizing unintended consequences. While underscoring the importance of water and food for our daily existence, Spillane stated that, in an age of data, AI and digital worlds, "we cannot eat or drink algorithms, code or models", and that these must be acknowledged for what they are: a means to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal targets.

The following day, on 7 May, the Chief Scientist delivered a statement from the floor during Session 2 of the STI Forum, dedicated to Powering sustainable development through clean energy technologies for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. In his intervention, he acknowledged the importance of clean energy within agrifood systems and its impact on lives and livelihoods, noting that while technologies are already available, rural energy infrastructure is a requisite for their successful adoption and deployment.

Strengthening partnerships for science-driven solutions

As part of his mission, Spillane held bilateral meetings with key leaders, including Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, and Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies. He also met with Alexis Abramson, Dean of the Columbia Climate School.

Spillane's participation in the 2026 STI Forum and related engagements underscored FAO's commitment to harnessing science, technology and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation in support of the 2030 Agenda. From empowering youth to strengthening high-level partnerships, the mission highlighted the need for inclusive, integrated approaches that put relevant technologies in the hands of farmers and provide supportive policies, institutions, and investment for successful implementation and adoption. Such collaboration is essential to deliver efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for all.