The 2024-2027 Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPoW) envisions a High-Level Forum (HLF) on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization and Data Governance for Food Security and Nutrition” for the 2026 intersessional period, focusing on exploring the potential and risks of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in addressing the challenges of food security and nutrition with a focus on promoting inclusive, transparent and accountable data governance in agriculture and food systems.

As such, the High-Level Forum will contribute to enhanced awareness and collaboration on a more just and equitable digital transformation to achieve food security and nutrition.

Innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms and big data analytics can enhance productivity, improve early warning systems, support climate adaptation and strengthen value chains. At the same time, these technologies can also bring new challenges, including concerns on data privacy, equity, algorithmic bias, digital exclusion and lack of governance mechanisms.

The High-Level Forum will explore the opportunities and the associated risks of these technologies in addressing food security and nutrition through the participation of high-level speakers and technical experts that will address the main developments around these themes on a one-day session. 

The discussion will underscore the need for governance on AI and digital technologies to ensure their responsible adoption and the effective use of data in decision-making, to protect and promote people-centred food systems that are based on the right to adequate food.

🗓️ 30 June 2026 

🕑 9.30–17.00 CEST

📍Hybrid format, World Food Programme headquarters (Auditorium) in Rome, Italy, and online.

📝 Register here. Participants wishing to attend the event in person are kindly requested to register by contacting the CFS Secretariat at cfs@fao.org

A summary of the meeting, including key findings from the discussion, will be presented by the CFS Chairperson at the 54th CFS Plenary Session in October, under Item II on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World – Strengthening Coordination and Collaborative Actions.