On 14 October 2025, the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)  jointly organized a Forum on Women in Agrifood at the 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI) in Beijing, in collaboration with China Agricultural University; the China Offices of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP); and the Women’s Studies Institute of China. The event brought together over 200 participants, including prominent women scientists, entrepreneurs, and representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, research and educational institutions, and civil society.

The forum aimed to explore how policy and technological innovations can advance women’s empowerment and foster more resilient and inclusive agrifood systems. Discussions reaffirmed the pivotal role of women as laborers, innovators, and leaders in advancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating poverty through enhanced policy synergies and technological progress. Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring women’s meaningful participation in access to emerging technologies, leadership and decision-making processes, so that their voices can shape the future of agrifood systems. The forum also showcased real-world examples and best practices demonstrating how digital technologies, agricultural mechanization, financial solutions, and entrepreneurship platforms are expanding opportunities for women to strengthen their economic autonomy and leadership in agriculture.

The year 2025 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth Conference on Women held in 1995. As part of CSAM’s ongoing efforts on gender mainstreaming in sustainable agricultural mechanization, this event also underscored the importance of gender-responsive mechanization and highlighted women as key driver of innovation in agricultural and rural transformation.