FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2026: Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.

From 12 to 16 October, the “FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2026: Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow” will take place at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The strategic event will focus on the role of science and technology in transforming agrifood systems and strengthening global food security in response to the challenges posed by climate change. The Forum will bring together experts, policymakers and innovators with the aim of promoting practical solutions, fostering the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and strengthening the integration of innovative technologies and traditional knowledge, particularly in support of small-scale producers. In this context, ENEA will present an initiative focused on the valorisation of residues and by-products from agrifood value chains through scientific research and technological development. The initiative, entitled “From Food Losses and Wastes (FLW) to New Resources – Science and Innovation for Circular Agrifood Systems”, highlights the role of the METROFOOD Research Infrastructure as a connecting platform for the collection, sharing and valorisation of knowledge, expertise and solutions to support more circular and sustainable agrifood systems. Through three application examples, the exhibition will illustrate how residues and by-products from agrifood value chains can be valorised through biotechnological processes and innovative technologies to produce valuable components, new products and materials, including those intended for more sustainable packaging solutions. The exhibition has been designed to guide visitors through the different stages of the transformation process, using representative samples of the starting materials, intermediate materials and final products, complemented by audiovisual and digital content. The initiative aims to demonstrate in practical terms how science, innovation and collaboration between research and agrifood value chains can help turn food loss and waste into new resources, contributing to more circular and sustainable production models.