17 October 2025, Beijing – The final competition of the 4th FAO-CAAS Youth Hackathon on One Health was successfully held, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in China and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of FAO. As one of the flagship events under the FAO-CAAS Innovation Platform, the Youth Hackathon has become an important opportunity for showcasing achievements, fostering innovation, and strengthening collaboration. With a focus on the theme “One Health,” the competition underscored the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, encouraging young innovators to develop interdisciplinary and impactful solutions to pressing global health challenges.

2025 Youth Hackathon on One Health

The 2025 edition attracted enthusiastic participation from youth across multiple countries and regions. Twelve teams from eight countries advanced to the final stage, competing in three tracks: New Technology, New Service, and New Pattern.

Mr. Wang Jinbiao, Special Assistant to the FAO Director-General, delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. He highlighted that today’s agri-food systems face increasingly intertwined challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to emerging health threats—making the One Health approach essential for achieving sustainable development. Mr. Wang commended the creativity, vision, and strong sense of social responsibility demonstrated by the youth participants. He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting young innovators in driving agri-food systems transformation and contributing to the FAO vision of the “Four Betters”: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

Hackathon Finals in CIAR of CAAS

The judging panel featured experts from FAO, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the British Embassy in Beijing, CAAS, the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, and Plug and Play China.

Following strict evaluation, the final awards were presented as follows:

New Technology Track

First Prize: Verigreen (China)

Second Prize: AflaScan™ (China)

Third Prize: SmartRice (Laos)

New Service Track

First Prize: LaoVetLink (Korea/Laos)

Second Prize: Bee Better (China)

Third Prize: AgroSentinal (India/Thailand)

First Prize: LaoVetLink (Korea/Laos)

New Pattern Track

First Prize: Aero Detect (China)

Second Prize: Antibiotic-Free Pioneers (China)

Third Prize: Plant-Based Solution to AMR Threat (Nigeria)

First Prize: Aero Detect (China)

Looking ahead, the FAO Representation in China and CAAS will continue deepening cooperation in innovation, science, and technology to empower young people to be active contributors to global sustainable agricultural development. Through joint efforts, the two organizations aim to enhance global food security, improve health and well-being, and strengthen the resilience of agri-food systems worldwide.