The UN-ETH Forum 2025 brings together international experts, policymakers, and academics to address global challenges in peace, security, and sustainability. A highlight for professionals in International Agriculture is the panel “Who Gets To Eat? Navigating Trade-offs in Sustainable Food Systems”, which explores how to reconcile Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) with the broader Agenda 2030. Discussions cover water use, food processing, the Planetary Health Diet, Switzerland’s global role, and the voice of youth in reshaping agriculture and food systems. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Robert Finger (ETH Zurich) with contributions from Ambassador Krisztina Bende, Prof. Dr. Alexander Mathys, Dr. Marc Müller, and Dr. Sabine Mukerji.

A SWISSAID partner project in Karnataka has won the UNDP Equator Prize 2025. Since 2018, the Bibi Fatima Self-Help Group has revived millet cultivation, created community seed banks preserving 250+ indigenous varieties, and promoted agroecological practices across 30 villages. The initiative improves food security, nutrition, and women’s empowerment while reducing slash-and-burn farming.

FiBL-led EU project SustainSahel (2020–2025) supported over 5000 smallholder farmers in Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso with agroecological practices such as mulching, composting, and integrating local trees. Results show yield gains of up to 40 percent and improved resilience under climate stress. The “lead farmer” model created strong peer-to-peer learning effects. Final recommendations urge policymakers to integrate agroecology into national strategies and secure farmers’ rights to trees.

FAO

Qualifications: Master’s in environmental, natural or social sciences, agronomy, international relations or law, or related field; specialization in biodiversity and natural resource management; minimum three years’ relevant experience (internships count half); experience in scientific and policy evaluation, project preparation, and workshop organization; very good knowledge of at least two Swiss national languages plus English; open only to Swiss nationals; motivation to work on international agriculture, biodiversity and food security.

Biovision reports on a project in Kenya where three MSc students from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe, Nairobi) test push–pull strategies against the tomato pest Tuta absoluta. By examining plants such as rosemary and wild chili that can repel pests or attract natural enemies, and by analyzing social and economic aspects in local farming communities, the project links scientific innovation with practical benefits for smallholder farmers in a developing-country context.

A new SCNAT publication compiles perspectives from the Global South to inform the revision of the KFPE Guide on transboundary research partnerships. The study highlights priorities and expectations from partner institutions, aiming to strengthen equitable and impactful collaboration in international agricultural and development research.