FAO at the 2026 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD)

The 2026 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD) is an annual intergovernmental forum aiming to assess progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and provide a forum to exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with regional priorities. The 2026 RFSD will be convened in Geneva on 21-22 April 2026, under the theme “Transforming together: Innovative and equitable actions for the SDGs.” As the end date of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approaches, the Forum aims to accelerate and coordinate actions towards the SDGs and maintain the momentum for innovative policies and solutions. 

In the framework of the RFSD, FAO will organize the following side events

Local solutions to global impact through sustainable food, water, energy, ecosystems

Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 08.30 – 09.45 CEST (virtual)

Focusing on the food–water–energy–nexus and innovation, the side-event aims at helping policy-makers and relevant actors in Europe and Central Asia gain a deeper understanding of the issue and its interconnected nature. Considering that agrifood systems transformation is a driving force for realizing several SDGs, the event will point at the benefits of coordinated and evidence-based investments and policies. The event also responds to the urgent need to apply holistic approaches for accelerating progress on achieving the SDGs, recognizing the central role of agrifood systems in solving the interlinked challenges of water scarcity, energy access, urbanization, and climate change.

The event will: 

• Illustrate how transforming agrifood systems can simultaneously advance SDG 6 (water), SDG 7 (energy), SDG 9 (innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities), and SDG 17 (partnerships). 

• Showcase the nexus between food, water and energy systems in both urban and rural contexts, demonstrating co-benefits and trade-offs. 

• Exchange knowledge on technological, institutional and social innovations driving sustainable agrifood systems. 

• Highlight the importance of partnerships and collective action across sectors and governance levels. 

• Formulate key messages and recommendations to inform RFSD outcomes and contribute to the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. 
  

The event is in English and Russian languages. For online participation, please register here.

Fourth Europe and Central Asia Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting

23–24 April 2026, 10.00 – 18.00 CEST (hybrid)

The Fourth Europe and Central Asia Food Systems Transformation Meeting brings together countries and regional partners to advance implementation of national food systems pathways following the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4). The meeting provides a regional space to review progress, align priorities, and strengthen coordinated support for food systems transformation toward 2030.

Convened by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in collaboration with the UN Issue-Based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS), and supported by several other partners, the meeting bring together governments, UN entities, development partners, civil society, youth networks, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, research institutions, and the private sector to support dialogue, peer learning, and coordinated action around country-led priorities.

The event is in English, French and Russian languages. For online participation, please register here; for in-person participation, use this registration link.

Additional events

FAO will be contributing with its expertise and by facilitating speakers to further key events.

Peer learning roundtable on SDG 17 – Partnerships for human centric inclusive digital transformation 

Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 10.00 – 13.00 CEST (in-person)

Peer learning round table on SDG11 – Sustainable cities and communities 

Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 15.00 – 18.00 CEST (in-person)

Peer learning round table on SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation 

Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 10.00 – 13.00 CEST (in-person)