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Vienna Food Safety Forum 2025: A Call for Smarter Food Safety Systems through Digitalization
Image provided by UNIDO
The Vienna Food Safety Forum 2025 wrapped up its three-day program on June 12, having convened over 300 participants from more than 75 countries, including ministers, regulators, researchers, private sector leaders, and development partners.
Hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Forum served as a global platform to explore how digital innovation can transform food safety systems and facilitate fairer, safer trade.
Throughout the event, speakers and participants emphasized the transformative power of data, AI, digital traceability, and remote inspections in addressing current and future food safety challenges.
Day One opened with high-level remarks and keynote speeches, including the address from UNIDO’s Director General Gerd Müller, who stated: “We must not only ensure that food is available and affordable for all, but also that food is safe. For UNIDO, food safety is a pillar of sustainable industrial development. The international community must invest more in food systems and technology transfer to developing countries. UNIDO stands ready as your partner in this.”
The global dialogue explored how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of food safety, creating opportunities for smarter risk assessment, proactive surveillance, and more efficient supply chains. It also offered dedicated space for networking across sectors and regions.
Day Two focused on collaboration and partnership building. Experts and stakeholders examined the role of digital traceability systems in promoting trust across supply chains, while regulators as well as public and private sector representatives discussed mechanisms for data sharing and compliance assurance.
Day Three showcased cutting-edge audit tools and machine learning for food safety surveillance, followed by a brainstorming workshop on developing international guidelines for the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence in food safety systems.
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A major highlight of the Forum was the launch of UNIDO’s new Food Safety Approach 2.0, introduced by Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Innovation and Economic Transformation Directorate. The approach integrates the most recent best practices and international standards to support Member States in the modernization of their national food control systems.
As highlighted by Beger in the closing ceremony, “This year’s Forum marked a turning point in our collective understanding of how digitalization and artificial intelligence can serve as powerful enablers—not only of better food safety, but of better governance, better trade, and better trust.”
