Registration is now open for the JIRCAS International Symposium 2021 to be held on November 17, 2021.

The theme of this year's symposium is “The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in Achieving Sustainable Food Systems in the Asia Monsoon Region: A Platform for International Collaboration”

The keynote speeches will be delivered by Prof. Joachim von BRAUN, Chairman of the Scientific Group to the UN Food Systems Summit, who will talk about research priorities in support of global and regional food systems transformations, and Mr. OSAWA Makoto, former Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), who will also talk about the need for scientific and technological innovations that can reduce the environmental burden of greenhouse gas emissions without affecting food productivity, as outlined in the ‘Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems, MeaDRI’ formulated by MAFF.

In addition, representatives of international organizations, agricultural research institutes, and development agencies active in the field of agriculture around the world will give presentations on exploring innovations that can both improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in the Asian monsoon region.

This will be followed by a panel session to discuss how to create a collaborative platform that contributes in enhancing engagement of stakeholders at each stage of food supply chains and promoting innovation to reduce environmental load.

Date：November 17 (Wed), 2021    14:00～16:15
Format： Online (YouTube JIRCAS channel)
Details & Registration：https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/symposium/2021/e20211117

Program：

Opening address
KOYAMA Osamu (President, JIRCAS) 　

Opening remarks
AOYAMA Toyohisa（Director-General, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries）　

Keynote speeches
"Research priorities in support of global and regional food systems transformations"
Prof. Joachim von BRAUN (Chair, Scientific Group, UN Food Systems Summit)

"UN Food System Summit is only the first step"
OSAWA Makoto (Former Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Presentations
"Transforming agri-food systems in the Asia-Pacific"
Sridhar DHARMAPURI (FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific）

"Creating opportunities for transformative climate adaptation and mitigation by farmers in the Asian Monsoon Region"
Jon HELLIN (IRRI)

"Prioritized initiatives in the field of agricultural and rural development in the Asian monsoon region"
UEDA Yasunari (JICA)

"Wise soil management for achieving triple wins in agriculture - food security, adaptation and mitigation"
SHIRATO Yasuhito (NARO)

"Working for small-scale farmers towards sustainable food system in Asia Monsoon Region"
HAYASHI Keiichi (JIRCAS)

Panel Discussion
Panel Chair: IIYAMA Miyuki (JIRCAS)

Closing Remarks
YAMAMOTO Yukiyo (Vice President, JIRCAS)

Contributors: KANAMORI Norihito (Information and Public Relations Office), IIYAMA Miyuki (Director, Information Program)