FAO’s Sustainable Livestock Transformation Conference

After three insightful days at FAO’s Sustainable Livestock Transformation Conference in Rome, Nicolò Cinotti, Secretary Genreal of the IPC, shares his five key takeaways, on stage with Donald Moore, Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, Altantuya Tseden-Ish, Kerry Senior, Altaf S. A. Al Sabah, Jenna Sarich, Piercristiano Brazzale and Ruaraidh Petre:

1️⃣ Sustainability is a tension we must embrace.
Feeding a growing population requires a stronger narrative, greater political support, and better data. As the saying goes, “you can’t improve what you can’t measure.”

2️⃣ Collaboration is essential.
From international organizations to farmers, integrators, and the private sector, every stakeholder plays a role. Respecting and leveraging those roles is the only way to foster change, whether locally, nationally, or globally.

3️⃣ Livestock systems are diverse.
From smallholders to large integrators, each contributes to global food security. Innovation must be seen as a journey, adapted to different realities and needs.

4️⃣ Action happens at farm level.
Solutions must be farmer-driven, aiming for the best but never overlooking the basics — which cannot be taken for granted.

5️⃣ Animal health is paramount.
It underpins food security, biosecurity, animal welfare, and the fight against transboundary and zoonotic diseases, always guided by a One Health approach and aligned with international standards.

Thank you FAO and Thanawat Tiensin for convening this dialogue and for its leadership in driving a more sustainable livestock sector.