What's Happening?
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu has called for a New Social Pact to transform agrifood systems, emphasizing the alignment of human, artificial, ecological, and social intelligence. Speaking at a high-level roundtable organized by Coldiretti and the Roman Catholic Fratelli tutti Foundation, Qu highlighted the convergence of crises such as ecological breakdown and economic inequality. The New Social Pact aims to integrate ethical values into agrifood systems, focusing on fraternity, food, technology, and regeneration.
Why It's Important?
The call for a New Social Pact reflects the urgent need to address global challenges in agrifood systems, including food security, sustainability, and social justice. By aligning diverse forms of intelligence, the initiative seeks to create systems that are efficient, inclusive, and resilient. The emphasis on ethical values highlights the importance of integrating spirituality, dignity, and care into food production and distribution. This approach may inspire collaborative efforts to transform agrifood systems and promote equitable access to resources.
What's Next?
The New Social Pact may lead to increased collaboration among stakeholders in the agrifood sector, fostering initiatives that prioritize ethical values and sustainability. FAO's commitment to supporting members in producing more with fewer resources may drive efforts to harness technologies like AI and empower smallholder farmers. The roundtable discussions may inspire further research and development to address specific challenges in agrifood systems, potentially leading to innovative solutions that enhance food security and resilience.