The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined a diverse group of youth leaders, policymakers, academics, researchers, development partners and agricultural experts at the first Annual Forum of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN), held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11 to 12 August 2026.

Held under the theme “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” the forum provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and networking around climate-smart agriculture and the future of agrifood systems.

The forum brought together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including representatives from the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), FAO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), academia, research institutions, civil society, the private sector and youth organizations.

Showcasing digital tools and services for agriculture

The FAO session explored how data, information systems and digital tools can support agricultural planning, service delivery, and decision-making. It also highlighted the important role of youth in bridging the gap between available digital tools and farmers who need support in identifying and using the most appropriate solutions to improve their productivity and livelihoods. Young people can help translate technology into practical, user-focused services, while also contributing to the development of new tools based on existing agricultural data.

A key focus was the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) and the role of national farmer registries in strengthening agricultural information systems. The session showcased how trusted farmer information, data governance and interoperability can help connect farmers with services while supporting better planning and programme implementation.

In this context, KIAMIS data can provide a valuable foundation for further tools and services, enabling innovators to develop solutions that respond to specific agricultural needs.

“KIAMIS demonstrates how a national farmer registry can provide a strong foundation for a more connected agricultural sector in Kenya. By bringing together trusted farmer information and connecting it with agricultural services and other systems, KIAMIS can support better planning, more targeted service delivery and improved decision-making across the agricultural sector,” stated Stuart Tippins, Information Technology Officer, FAO.

The session also showcased FAO’s broader work, including the FAO Agro-Informatics Platform (AIP) and Digital Services Portfolio (DSP), which provide tools and services to support users in accessing agricultural data, information and practical expertise. The AIP is available to all users, and FAO’s team can work with governments and other partners to incorporate additional information and develop custom views of their data, helping countries make their own agricultural information more accessible and useful (contact the FAO team here).

For Karl Morteo, Senior Information Technology Officer, FAO, the session highlighted the importance of making agricultural information useful and accessible. “The real value of agricultural data comes from what we can do with it. By connecting data, technologies and people, we can generate insights that support better decisions and open new opportunities across agrifood systems,” added Karl.

The panel brought together a wide range of expertise, including Nor-Khaizura M. Ab Rashid of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security at Universiti Putra Malaysia; David Kasibante, Space Law & Policy Specialist at the Space Generation Advisory Council in Uganda; Gladys Khisa Sitati, Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences at the University of Embu, Kenya; and Valasia Iakovoglou, Director of the Ecotourism Sector of the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect at the International Hellenic University, Greece.

Their perspectives connected issues ranging from food safety and education to space and Earth observation, sustainability and the use of technology and information in agriculture.

Building connections for future collaboration

Beyond the technical sessions, the GCSAYN Annual Forum demonstrated the value of bringing different communities together around a common agenda. High-level speakers, technical experts, youth representatives, academics and practitioners exchanged experiences and explored shared priorities across climate resilience, extension, climate and media literacy, citizen science, sustainable food systems and information systems.

For Divine Ntiokam, Founder and Executive Director of GCSAYN, creating these connections is essential to ensuring young people play an active role in the transformation of agriculture. He stated: “Young people are not just the beneficiaries of agricultural transformation, they are the innovators and leaders who will shape its future. Bringing different generations, sectors and institutions together creates the partnerships young people need to turn ideas into impact.”

FAO’s participation marks an important step towards continued engagement with GCSAYN and its growing network, with opportunities to strengthen collaboration on climate-smart agriculture, agro-informatics, digital tools and services in agriculture, youth engagement and agrifood systems transformation.