Date: 12 October 2026
Organizer: IRENA
Description: The latest SDG7 progress report shows that the goal of universal access to clean cooking is far from reach, with nearly two billion people still cooking on open fires with traditional cookstoves. Nearly half of this population resides in Africa. The lack of access to clean cooking is a global crisis that undermines food security, health, gender equity and climate goals. Due to the strong interconnections between cooking energy access and several development outcomes, innovative approaches to solving the crisis are needed to concurrently address the inter-connected SDGs.
As part of the Science and Innovation Forum 2026, FAO and IRENA will convene a side-event on “Clean cooking as an energy-smart agrifood system solution to improve food security” with the goal of making the interconnections between SDG7 and SDG2 prominent. The session will combine experiential learning, demonstrations of renewables based modern cooking solutions by two Chefs (FAO Goodwill Ambassadors) and a high-level panel discussion featuring senior staff at FAO and IRENA, representatives from governments, development and research community. A strong focus will be given to the critical importance of accelerating science, evidence and innovations in line with the Forum’s theme.
