The Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security, and Agriculture participated in the UN Science Summit during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Professor Michael Kremer, Chair of the Innovation Commission, delivered a keynote address “Scaling Innovation: An Iterative Evidence-based Approach” on September 23, 2025.
The event, convened by the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, included remarks by Dr. Stefan Schmitz (Executive Director, Crop Trust), H.E. Amina J. Mohammed (Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations), Dr. Máximo Torero (Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Mr. Declan Kirrane (Managing Director, UN Science Summit), Dr. Conrad Rein (Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security), Dr. Nasser Alkahtani (Co-Chair and Executive Director, AGFUND), H.E. Dr. Osama Faqeeha (UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 Presidency), H.E. Dr. Abdullah Khalil Al‑Musaibeeh (President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa), H.E. Mr. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad (CEO, Saudi Fund for Development, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), and H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu (Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development).
The event also included a high-level panel discussion featuring H.E. Dr. Sidi Ould Tah (President, African Development Bank), H.E. Mr. Moses Vilakati (Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union), H.E. Mr. Jozef Síkela (European Commissioner for International Partnerships), H.E. Dr. Abdoulie Janneh (Executive Director, Mo Ibrahim Foundation), and Mr. Farouk Khailann (Senior Advisor, The Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi).
Click here for details about the event.