Youth at the forefront: Advancing technology for sustainable agrifood systems

During the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, Tsinghua University, China, hosted an interactive youth side event titled “Youth at the forefront: Advancing technology for sustainable agrifood systems”, bringing together young innovators, scholars and policymakers to explore how digital solutions can transform agrifood systems.

The event, which took place on 15 October, aimed to amplify youth perspectives and highlight technology-driven solutions, reinforcing the critical role of young people in shaping sustainable and resilient agrifood systems for the future.

The session opened with remarks from Laura Turner, Deputy Director of Emergency Coordination at the  World Food Programme (WFP), who emphasized transforming shared visions into shared action to prevent hunger and build sustainable agrifood systems. Ambassador Marilyn Do Luca of Venezuela highlighted youth as essential actors in agrifood systems, stressing science and innovation for sustainable development.

Panelists explored the digital transformation of agrifood systems. Nikola Trendov from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), discussed the persistent digital divide and the role of youth in bridging gaps. Digital innovation took center stage as panelists showcased robotics, advanced monitoring tools and digital methods designed to boost productivity, strengthen climate resilience and improve understanding of water systems and ecosystem responses to climate change.

During the youth pitch session, young innovators presented practical, scalable solutions, from drone and artificial intelligence (AI) -powered soil monitoring to satellite-based remote farming, digital tools for transparency and optimized production, circular economy models transforming plastic waste into new products and AI-driven approaches supporting progress towards zero hunger. Key themes included digital inclusion, youth leadership, innovation pipelines and sustainable technology adoption, underlining the importance of collaboration across governments, academia and the private sector. Participants explored how technology can complement tradition and empower youth to take meaningful action.

The event concluded with reflections on youth as key agents of change in the digital era, demonstrating that combining technological innovation and education can drive sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.