G20: FAO Director-General calls for closing of digital divide
10.08.2021 14:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
QU Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), called for a closing of the digital divide and reiterated FAOs commitment to promote the use of digital technologies, billing them essential for a much-needed transformation of the agri-food systems. Speaking at the G20 Digital Economy Ministers meeting, Qu made a strong case for expanding the use of digital technologies, especially in rural areas, where such technologies could be leveraged to address multiple market failures (for example, information asymmetry on prices of produce and inputs, lack of access to financial services, search costs for traceability) and help smallholder farmers access markets. Rural women, in particular, stressed Qu, were most disadvantaged by the lack of connectivity. «Connectivity has improved dramatically, but a digital divide remains between countries, between rural and urban areas,» said Qu. According to ITU, at the end of 2019, just over 51 per cent of the global population, or 4 billion people, were using the Internet. The Broadband Commission estimates that a $428 billion-investment is needed to ensure everyone is connected by 2030. «Collectively, we cannot bear the immense cost of this digital divide. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that now, more than ever, connectivity is a pre-condition for social inclusion,» said the FAO Director-General.He also reiterated FAOs commitment to working in partnership for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind a transformation that would not be possible without digital technologies. Qu went on to share examples of how FAO has been accelerating the uptake of digital technologies in the food and agriculture sectors, and the promotion of digital rural transformation. Combatting hunger, poverty and inequality through digital technologies FAOs 1,000 Digital Villages Initiative focuses on converting 1,000 villages across the world into digital hubs all with the aim of supporting the transformation of agri-food systems. The Initiative incorporates three main elements: «e-Agriculture» to improve agricultural productivity through ICT and digital solutions, such as climate smart, precision and intelligent facility agriculture; «Digital Farmer Services» to enhance farmers access to services, including financial services, social protection and employment; and digital services for «Rural transformation» to enhance the delivery of public services in health, education, jobs, welfare, eco- and agri-tourism.Launched in July 2020, FAOs Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform is a digital public good to create interactive data maps, analyse trends and identify real-time gaps and opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors, thus, guiding and ensuring impactful investments. FAO also acts as a linchpin, bringing together a wide range of partners on the use of digital technologies in food and agriculture. In this respect, FAOs soon-to-be-operational International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture will provide a venue for dialogue, policy making, and strengthening of the linkages between agriculture and digital economy fora, supporting governments to enhance the benefits of digital agriculture and leapfrog by learning from their peers, while addressing potential concerns. FAO, together with Pontifical Academy for Life, Microsoft, IBM and the Italian Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, has also made The Call for AI Ethics to promote an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.
28.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
12:55 |
Council compromise on Ukraine ATMs – Only a half step forward in the right direction |
|
09:18 |
Commission approves amendment to Italian State aid scheme to support companies in Friuli Venezia Giulia in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
26.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:55 |
Projected famine in Gaza: FAO urges immediate access to deliver urgent and critical assistance at scale. About 1.1 million people are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity |
|
08:44 |
EU makes major step forward in the delivery of 2024 humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza* |
25.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
16:17 |
Commission approves ˆ86.9 million Bulgarian State aid scheme to support farmers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
21.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:15 |
Commission takes action to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU |
20.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:13 |
Deal to extend trade support for Ukraine with safeguards for EU farmers |
19.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:43 |
CAP - The Commission proposes simplifications that safeguard agricultural transitions! |
18.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:10 |
The European Union and Switzerland launch negotiations to deepen bilateral relations |
|
10:05 |
Commission proposes targeted review of Common Agricultural Policy to support EU farmers |
15.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:36 |
Cargill Power CanolaTM Program Helps Farmers Take Advantage of Growing Bioenergy Market Opportunities for Canadian Canola |
|
23:19 |
FAO will provide Ukrainian farmers with soybean and sunflower seeds for spring sowing campaign |
13.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:27 |
FAO urges more cooperation in banana sector, significant for some least developed and low-income food-deficit countries and smallholder farmers |
|
16:51 |
The European Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity |
12.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:25 |
Coreper and COMENVI approve the provisional agreement on EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework |
|
20:24 |
INTA MEPs fail EU producers by dismissing potential improvements to Ukraine ATMs |
|
08:10 |
Soybean meal is expected to be a more competitive feed ingredient on higher global supplies. |
11.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:11 |
U.S. Corn Exports Shift Destinations as Brazil Captures China Market |
08.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:20 |
Conflicts push acute food insecurity higher |
|
13:21 |
FAO Food Price Index declines further in February |
|
13:14 |
Packaging: Council and Parliament strike a deal to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU |
|
11:45 |
Commission approves ˆ61.3 million Bulgarian State aid scheme to support farmers, producers of grain and oil crops, in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
07.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:41 |
First go-ahead to renewing trade support for Ukraine and Moldova |
05.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:55 |
Commission proposes to prolong road transport agreements with Ukraine and Moldova and introduces updates to the agreement with Ukraine |
02.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
07:31 |
Heroes of deserts and highlands: Nourishing people and culture |
23.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:21 |
BASF’s financial strength supports proposed stable dividend of ˆ3.40 per share for the 2023 business year |
|
10:17 |
The Council has chosen to ignore farmers' concerns regarding Ukraine ATMs; it is now imperative for the European Parliament to take action |
20.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:27 |
South Asia is anticipated to import nearly 14 million tons wheat in 2023/24 |
19.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
13:00 |
Cargill and ENOUGH expand partnership to provide consumers with innovative, sustainable protein options |
17.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:47 |
Global Environment Facility approves new FAO-led projects and programs benefiting 46 countries |
16.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:10 |
The EU is at a crossroads with the Ukrainian agricultural issue - COPA-COGECA, AVES, CEFS, CEPM, CIBE, EUWEP |
13.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:31 |
European farmers exempted from rules on land lying fallow |
12.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
16:45 |
India Wheat Stocks Plummet to Lowest in 15 Years |
03.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:35 |
Mandarins. Global production for 2023/24 is forecast to rise to 38.0 million tons |
|
09:59 |
Record cereal output in 2023 |
|
07:15 |
FAO Food Price Index down again in January led by lower wheat and maize prices |
29.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:32 |
President von der Leyen launches Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture |
26.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:31 |
Record Exports Forecast for Egypt Oranges |
23.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:55 |
With the Federal Chancellor in the show bakery |
19.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:45 |
Organic production in Ukraine |
16.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:25 |
Domestic consumption of dairy products may double in 2024 – analysts |
12.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:53 |
Competition Tightens for Leading Pork Exporter |
|
22:55 |
Peru Fish Meal Exports at Lowest Level Since 2015/16 El Niño |
|
22:43 |
Grains Trade Disrupted by Challenges in Key Shipping Routes |
10.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:38 |
In China, the largest import market for dairy products, surplus raw milk production led to government subsidies to stabilize the domestic processing sector |
09.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:55 |
The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 134.6 points in December, down 26.8 points from November |
06.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
12:43 |
Polish fish and seafood imports continued to grow in 2022 and reached over $3 billion, with a $129 million (4 percent market share) originating from the USA |
05.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:21 |
EU imports are dominated by unroasted green coffee beans, which accounts for about 90 percent of trade |
|
17:00 |
FAO Food Price Index declines in December. Benchmark measure of world food commodity prices ends 2023 about 10 percent below its year-earlier level |
29.12.2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:53 |
Global and Bank of Georgia sign EUR50 million loan agreement to support small businesses |
Also available:
|