The Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) will convene its First Annual Forum (GAF-I 2026) on the on 11th and 12th August 2026 at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa)in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together global experts, policymakers, researchers, development partners, youth leaders, and educational institutions to accelerate youth-led solutions for climate-smart agriculture and resilient food systems.
Held under the theme of advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) through youth leadership, the forum comes at a critical time when global food systems face increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and rising food insecurity. With the world’s population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the event seeks to strengthen youth participation in developing innovative, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural solutions.
The forum aims to strengthen international youth cooperation, localize climate-smart agriculture across 98 approved GCSAYN Centres of Excellence, and create a platform where young people, women, persons with disabilities, researchers, educators, and development partners can exchange knowledge, co-create practical solutions, and build strategic collaborations for sustainable agrifood systems.
Key discussions will focus on:
- Climate-smart technologies and sustainable resource management;
- Digital agriculture and digital literacy for smallholder farmers;
- Expanding green employment opportunities for youth and women;
- Scaling youth-led agricultural innovation;
- Strengthening climate resilience through inclusive partnerships.
The forum has attracted an impressive lineup of internationally recognized speakers and partners from organizations including the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNESCO, IFAD, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition Kenya,Compassion in World Farming (UK), Growth Further (USA), Food Systems for the Future Institute (USA), alongside experts from universities, research institutions, governments, and civil society across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.
Among the distinguished speakers are Dr. Debisi Araba, Managing Director of AKADEMIYA2063; Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission; Michael Orang’i Onchabo, Director of the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition Kenya; Amb. Stephane Gombertz, Ambassador for Climate for Africa and the Middle East (France); Dr. Peter Kelly, Founder and CEO of Growth Further (USA); Amb. Etharin Cousin, Managing Director and CEO of Food Systems for the Future (USA); and Mr. Divine Ntiokam, Founder and Executive Director of GCSAYN, alongside numerous international experts in climate action, food security, digital agriculture, and youth development.
The forum is expected to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical capacity in climate mitigation, adaptation, digital agriculture, and sustainable food systems while strengthening international partnerships that create employment opportunities and empower young people to lead Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Through this inaugural forum, GCSAYN reaffirms its commitment to empowering the next generation of climate leaders by connecting young people with global expertise, fostering innovation, and accelerating action toward resilient and sustainable agrifood systems across Africa and beyond.