The international symposium will explore how the application of science and technology, particularly agricultural biotechnologies, can benefit smallholders in developing sustainable food systems and improving nutrition in the context of climate change. 

The symposium takes a multisectoral approach, covering the crop, livestock, forestry and fishery sectors. It also aims to cover the wide spectrum of available biotechnologies, including microbial food fermentation, tissue culture in plants, reproductive technologies in livestock, use of molecular markers, genetic modification and other technologies.

The symposium takes place over two and a half days at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, with keynote speakers addressing the plenary sessions on 15 and 16 February. A high-level ministerial segment will take place on 16 February. Three parallel sessions will also be held each day and the symposium will close on 17 February 2016 with a final plenary session where outcomes from the parallel sessions will be reported.

The target audience for the symposium includes representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations and of non-state actors, including civil society, private sector, research/academic institutions and cooperatives/producer organizations.

A draft agenda, as well as a more detailed overview, can be found on the dedicated page on the FAO website.