Page 28 - UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and
the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

Annex 1: United Nations Activities on Virtual Worlds and metaverse

Agency name:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Description of activities:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations
that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and
make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy
lives. With more than 194 Member States, FAO works in more than 130 countries worldwide.
We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
Project 1: Integrating Virtual Reality (VR) as training tools in desert locust management

Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is recognized as the most destructive migratory pest in
the world. Under the right conditions, dense and highly mobile desert locust swarms can form.
Large swarms pose a major threat to food security and rural livelihoods. This threat is being
greatly exacerbated by climate change, which will greatly increase the frequency with which
major desert locust upsurges occur.

FAO has long-standing expertise in monitoring desert locust populations and helping countries
cope with this devastating crop pest. This has been achieved through the development and use
of innovative technologies. Success of these efforts is attributed to capacity building initiatives
intentionally implemented in breeding and invasion countries to prepare locust officers for
survey and control actions. However, capacity building, particularly in the invasion areas, lacks
the practical aspect during the calm period.

Considering desert locust threats associated with climate change coupled with capacity
building limitations, FAO in collaboration with Georgia State University, is developing a novel
training approach using Virtual Reality (VR) to train teams on desert locust management during
breeding and invasion periods. Virtual Reality platform will enhance training and experience
by providing immersive, risk-free environments for practical training across various sectors.
This approach will ensure that everyone has access to opportunities and services, regardless of
physical, geographic or economic limitations. This will position FAO as a leader in innovation,
enhancing their processes and user engagement.

Related SDG:

• SDG 2 Zero Hunger
• SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Relevant link:

https:// www .fao .org/ transboundary -plant -pests -diseases/ news/ detail/ introducing -virtual
-reality -technology -in -locust -survey -for -sustainable -locust -control -and -management/ en

Contact:

Shoki Al-Dobai, PhD, Team Leader, Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases, Plant
Production and Protection Division (NSP); FAO, Rome, Italy. E-mail: Shoki.AlDobai@ fao .org

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