Opening Session: Leaders Forum

Addressing challenges to global food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss require coordinated efforts among stakeholders to deliver actions. The Leaders Forum builds a shared understanding of why it is necessary to make a fundamental shift in policymaking and investment priorities towards achieving sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.

Moderator:

• Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor, China Agricultural University, CGIAR System Board Member

Welcome Remarks:

• Masatsugu Asakawa, President, ADB

Keynote:

• Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme
• Dongyu Qu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Panelists:

• Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Irrigation and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Sri Lanka
• Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Palau
• Jo Swinnen, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Jyotsna Puri, Associate Vice-President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Farrah Barrios, Director, Global Food Security and Development Planning, National Security Council, The White House