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Opening Session: Leaders Forum

09:00 am - 10:30 am
ADB Auditorium

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

Speakers

Cindy McCain

Executive Director

World Food Programme

Dongyu Qu

Director-General

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Farrah Barrios

Director for Global Food Security and Development Planning

The White House, NSC

Jo Swinnen

Director General

International Food Policy Research Institute

Jyotsna Puri

Associate Vice-President, Strategy and Knowledge Department

International Fund for Agricultural Development

Masatsugu Asakawa

President

Asian Development Bank

Pavithra Wanniarachchi

Minister of Irrigation and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation

Sri Lanka

Shenggen Fan

Chair Professor

China Agricultural University

Steven Victor

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment

Palau

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