WSIS Action Line C7 E-agriculture - Advancing Trusted Data Governance, Inclusive AI, and Digital Public Goods to enable scalable DPI and collaborative, Multilingual Innovation Ecosystems for Agrifood Systems Transformation

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Session 304

Monday, 6 July 2026 ∼ 14:00–14:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room H1, ITU Montbrillant Building Interactive Action Line Facilitation Meeting

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Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as a leading institution facilitating WSIS Action Line C7 on E‑Agriculture, continues to champion human‑centred, inclusive, and sustainable digital transformation of agrifood systems. Through initiatives such as the E‑Agriculture Community of Practice, the 1,000 Digital Villages Initiative, and the Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs, FAO has strengthened digital inclusion, enhanced the exchange of knowledge, and promoted practical digital solutions that respond to local realities, thereby improving rural resilience. FAO has also supported countries in developing national digital agriculture strategies through a participatory approach that ensures capacity building, institutional strengthening, and national ownership. Together, these efforts have broadened access to ICTs, built local capacities, and accelerated the adoption of climate‑smart, data‑driven agricultural development.

Ensuring that digital transformation does not widen inequalities especially for smallholder farmers, women, youth, and rural communities, remains central to FAO’s mandate. Innovation ecosystems have been strengthened through digital advisory services, digital literacy programmes, and AI‑enabled tools deployed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and SIDS. The launch of platforms such as the STI Portal and the ATIO Knowledge Base has further enhanced access to evidence, technologies, and grassroots solutions that support informed policymaking and investment.

Youth‑led innovation has been catalyzed through initiatives such as Reboot the Earth, the Global Agrifood Innovation Challenge, and the Data Farm Value Challenge, expanding FAO’s innovation ecosystem and accelerating scalable agritech solutions. Complemented by global knowledge‑exchange platforms like the Science and Innovation Forum and the Digital Agriculture Forum, these efforts culminated in the publication of the Digital Agriculture and AI Innovation Roadmap, guiding countries in scaling ethical, inclusive, and context‑relevant AI for agrifood systems transformation.
As countries expand their digital capabilities, the next strategic priority is the development of trusted, interoperable, and scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that ensures equitable access to innovation and strengthens resilience across the agricultural sector. While this evolution unlocks significant opportunities for efficiency, inclusion, and transformation, it also introduces critical challenges related to data governance, interoperability, equitable access, and digital inclusion.
This side event session at the WSIS Forum 2026 will explore how trusted data governance, inclusive and reliable AI, and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) can collectively underpin scalable DPI and enable collaborative, multilingual, and multi‑stakeholder agricultural innovation ecosystems, aligned with the WSIS+20 vision and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dr. Magan Naidoo Chief Data officer UN _ World Food Programme Remote Panellist

Magan Naidoo is the Chief Data Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), based in Rome, Italy. In this newly established role, he is leading the development and implementation of WFP’s inaugural Data and Artificial Intelligence strategies, transforming data into a strategic asset to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate emergency response, and strengthen global food systems.

Prior to joining WFP, Magan held senior positions in the private sector, where he led large-scale data transformation initiatives across diverse industries. With extensive experience in building integrated data ecosystems, he has successfully driven digital innovation to improve decision-making and deliver measurable impact.

In his role at WFP, Magan is also laying the foundation for the responsible and ethical adoption of Artificial Intelligence in humanitarian operations, ensuring that AI technologies are used in ways that are scalable, transparent, and aligned with the organization’s mission to end hunger worldwide.

Magan has degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems and Business Leadership. He holds a strong track record in harnessing the power of data to solve complex challenges and is committed to fostering a culture of data-driven innovation with artificial intelligence within the humanitarian sector.

Dr. Vincent Martin Director of the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Dr. Vincent Martin is the Director of the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN), where he is responsible for leading the Organization’s innovation agenda as part of the Science and Innovation strategy.

Dr. Martin brings 28 years of experience in science, research, and policy as they relate to issues surrounding agrifood systems. Prior to serving as Director of OIN, Dr. Martin served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Guinea. There, he oversaw 24 UN agencies, driving efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals, leading humanitarian initiatives, and tackling critical matters in development, politics, peace, and security, always bringing innovation into UN programmatic interventions.

He also served as FAO’s representative to China and DPR Korea, where he played a key role by leveraging his knowledge of food security, global health and nutrition issues in shaping strategies for preventing epidemic diseases and foster agricultural policies for innovation. His work extended to spearheading innovative approaches at country and regional levels, developing new tools and approaches to address complex development issues, and strived to fulfill FAO’s mandate.

Before his work in China, Dr. Martin earned recognition as "Knight of the Order of the Lion" in Senegal for his notable contributions in the same fields, as FAO Representative and Head of the FAO Regional Hub for emergency and humanitarian interventions in the Sahel and West Africa. Dr. Martin started his career with CIRAD in Zimbabwe and then in the French Government. He first joined FAO in 1998, contributing to development and emergency programmes in epidemic prevention and control across Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Dr. Martin's educational qualifications include a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, a Diploma in Medical Epidemiology and Statistics, an MSc in livestock production and a Ph.D. in Agronomic Sciences and Biological Engineering.

Ms. Roxana WIDMER-ILIESCU Head of Digital Inclusion Service International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Roxana WIDMER-ILIESCU heads the Digital Inclusion Service at the Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where she has dedicated over 27 years to advancing the global digital inclusion agenda. She advises ITU Members on inclusive digital policies and strategies that enable everyone’s participation in the digital society, economy, and environment.

A passionate advocate for ICT and digital accessibility, Roxana promotes human-centred technologies and equitable digital opportunities for all—regardless of age, gender, ability, or location. To support global efforts toward building a digitally inclusive world where no one is left behind, she has spearheaded the development of more than 75 ITU-D key resources aimed at fostering the implementation of available, affordable, and digitally accessible technologies.

Before joining ITU, she served in the International Relations Department of the Romanian Parliament. She holds computer science and legal background with a specialization in strategic management of telecommunications, and is fluent in English, French, Romanian, and Spanish.

Mr. Didier Nkurikiyimfura Director of Emerging Technologies and AI Smart Africa

Mr. Henry van Burgsteden Senior Innovation Officer (Office of Innovation) Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations (FAO)

Henry is a national of the Netherlands with over 20 years of experience in digital innovation. He has always explored new boundaries for the use of digital solutions for agrifood systems transformation and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

He firmly believes digital technologies are a powerful means of implementing agrifood systems transformation through speed and scale of uptake; reduced deployment costs; growth in public awareness; delivery of innovation, connectivity, productivity and efficiency gains across sectors.

In the framework of FAO’s work, it is about creating value and impact for achieving the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, the FAO Science and Innovation strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) action agenda, leaving no one behind. This means special attention for the most vulnerable people; women, youth and the rural poor.

He leads the FAO Programme Priority Area on Digital Agriculture that is part of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, and leads the Digital Agriculture Unit in the FAO Office of Innovation, acts as Lead Technical Officer of the Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs, and has been contributing since 2020 to FAO’s engagement in the Rome Call for AI Ethics.

Ms. Angelique UWIMANA Digital Agriculture & Innovation Specialist (Office of Innovation) Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations (FAO)

Ms. Maria Grossi Agustina Programme Officer / Digital Diplomacy and Partnerships FAO Geneva Liaison Office Moderator

Originally from Argentina, Agustina Maria Grossi currently serves as Programme Officer, in charge of Digital Diplomacy and Partnerships in FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, focusing on advocacy, capacity building, cooperation and programme coordination for AI and Digital Governance related matters. With 6 languages and over 17 years of strong work experience in external relations and public affairs within international organizations and research institutes, she has held previous positions at the Organization for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), the European Forest Institute (EFI) with the European Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as in the private sector and several NGOs in the field to enhance strategic multilateralism.

Thriving for multicultural impact through her solution delivery oriented work across 4 continents, she is deeply committed to identify and leverage opportunities for Growth and Sustainable Development in fast paced and innovative environments, with her most recent focus on Science and Technology Developments, including AI and Digital Policy for Good.

Topics

Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Digital Divide Digital Inclusion Digital Skills Digital Transformation Emerging Technologies WSIS+20 Review

WSIS Action Lines

C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture

The session will explore the foundational elements required to strengthen digital transformation in agriculture, beginning with the reinforcement of trusted data governance frameworks that ensure secure, ethical, and transparent data use across agricultural value chains. It will also examine how inclusive, reliable, and responsible AI can be harnessed to enhance climate resilience, empower smallholders, and support evidence‑based decision‑making. Together, these components are essential for building confidence, equity, and accountability in digital agriculture systems.
In parallel, the discussion will highlight the importance of scaling Digital Public Goods (DPGs), alongside open‑source and interoperable solutions, as critical building blocks of Agricultural Digital Public Infrastructure. The session will also emphasize the need to foster multilingual, collaborative, and multi‑stakeholder digital innovation ecosystems that align with WSIS+20 priorities and FAO’s mandate. Such ecosystems are vital for ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, context‑appropriate, and capable of supporting diverse communities across the agrifood sector.

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

The session is closely aligned with the sustainable development process by advancing the role of digital transformation as a key enabler for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It directly contributes to addressing global challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and rural development by promoting inclusive, people‑centred and rights‑based digital innovation in agrifood systems. By emphasizing trusted data governance, ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence, and the scaling of Digital Public Goods within interoperable digital public infrastructure, the session supports equitable access to innovation and strengthens evidence‑based decision‑making across agricultural value chains. Moreover, it reinforces multi‑stakeholder collaboration across governments, UN agencies, private sector, and civil society, ensuring that digital solutions contribute to sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems transformation, while accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and aligning with WSIS+20 and global digital cooperation frameworks.

GDC Objectives

Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity