19th Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting in Southern Africa

The 19th Multidisciplinary Team Meeting for Southern Africa takes place in 2025. FAO's Subregional Office for Southern Africa organizes the meeting to address challenges and opportunities in the region's agrifood systems.

Meeting Theme

"Delivering Impact for Efficient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Learning, Partnering and Scaling Innovation in Southern Africa"

The theme aligns with FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and reflects the push for efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems through innovation, partnerships, and better resource use.

Regional Context

Southern Africa faces urgent challenges including worsening climate variability, rising food insecurity, and stretched public budgets. Millions across the subregion experience crop failures and high food prices.

The meeting focuses on impactful solutions that can be scaled efficiently. Innovation must be supported by knowledge sharing, cross-border collaboration, and strong partnerships. FAO initiatives like the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, One Country-One Priority Product, and Digital Villages demonstrate this approach.

Strategic Positioning

The meeting prepares Southern Africa's positioning ahead of the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34). Evidence of impact, innovation, and alignment with global frameworks will be essential.

The MDT aims to move beyond discussion and showcase practical, scalable solutions that deliver more with less.

Competitions Launched

Three competitions were launched on August 1, 2025:

1. Video on Innovation in Action

2. Photo Exhibition on Partnerships' Impacts

3. Poster on Learning for Scaling

What's New at MDT19

The meeting design responds to feedback from MDT18 participants who requested more focused and impactful content.

Streamlined Format The agenda limits presentations and prioritizes short, compelling pitches highlighting concrete results, good practices, and lessons learned.

More time is allocated for meaningful dialogue, group exchanges, and practical problem-solving.

Focused Themes Topics reflect technical and operational priorities including country-level delivery, innovation, partnerships, staff welfare, and internal collaboration.

Active Engagement Participants should come prepared to share, learn, and engage. The focus is on pitching solutions, raising questions, and connecting with peers across disciplines and countries.

Interventions should be clear, concise, and action-oriented with intention to inform others, inspire uptake, and foster partnerships.

Inclusive Facilitation The meeting ensures voices from all units and staff levels are heard. This includes better gender balance, expanded participation from operations and administration, and renewed focus on joint team building and co-learning.

Meeting Purpose

MDT19 serves as a platform for transformation rather than just another meeting. It creates space for practical problem-solving and collaboration across the subregion.

Who Attends

• FAO subregional office staff

• FAO country office representatives

• Technical and operations teams

• Administrative staff

• Development partners

• Government counterparts

Event Details

• Theme: Delivering Impact for Efficient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems

• Focus: Learning, partnering, scaling innovation

• Format: Streamlined meeting with pitches, dialogue, exchanges, competitions

• Organizing Body: FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa

Contact FAO's Subregional Office for Southern Africa or relevant national FAO offices for information about official participation.