Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) returns for its third edition from 30 October to 2 November to exhibit the region’s agri-food industry’s latest advances in sustainable food production. It will also highlight decarbonisation initiatives to help businesses migrate to net zero emissions.
SIAW, held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, is a focused venue for information exchange, opportunity exploration, networking, and collaboration to improve regional food security and supply chains.
The event is hosted by global investment leader Temasek and co-hosted by the Singapore Food Agency in partnership with the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, Agency for Science, Technology and Research and event organisers, Constellar and Rethink Events. SIAW 2023 expects an estimated 15,000 attendees this year.
SIAW will open with a by-invite-only Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations hosted by the Singapore Food Agency. Key events include the thought leadership-focused Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit; the region’s only focused exhibition platform Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA), and the Global Agri-Food Scientific Symposium to catalyse scientific advancement.
Anuj Maheshwari, Head of Agri-Food at Temasek International, said of the event, “As an industry, we need to co-create and catalyse solutions that can help feed a growing and discerning population.” Furthermore, the agrifood sector is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. We can play a big role in advancing global efforts to decarbonize food systems, particularly in Asia. Platforms like the Singapore International Agri-Food Week bring together the best in the business to provide our global communities with fair access to healthy and sustainable food.”
Focusing on accelerating the transition to a climate-smart food system, notable speakers for the Summit include Sunny Verghese, Executive Director, Co-Founder and Group CEO of OLAM; Joseph Taets, Senior Vice President and President of APAC, ADM; Yanjing Wang, VP R&D AMEA, KELLOGG; Simone Barg, Senior VP, Agricultural Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF; David Chen, CEO, EQUILIBRIUM; Beverley Postma, Executive Director, GROW ASIA; Corine Tap, Regional President Asia, FRIESLAND CAMPINA; Marie Cheong, Founding Partner, WAVEMAKER IMPACT and Frantz Braha, Chief Growth Officer, SALADSTOP! Group.
AFTEA will see a gathering of innovators from countries such as Singapore, China, France, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and many more, who will be showcasing their innovations and developments in the agri-tech space. These include Aerosprings Hydroponics, Siemens and Nutricell, amongst others. New national and regional pavilions joining this year include Western Australia, Bhutan and Spain.
Food security comes into focus against the backdrop of global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and geopolitical disruptions that affect our supply chains. “To solve these challenges, we must accept, adapt, and pioneer cutting-edge technologies that enable sustainable food production while saving valuable resources. To usher in a new era when innovative foods can nourish us securely, we must also ensure harmonious collaboration between regulators and the agri-food sector’, said Dr Tan Lee Kim, Director-General (Food Administration) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
This year’s highlights also include a Cultivated Meat Pavilion, hosted by the APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA), featuring cultivated meat; a Founder’s Hub showcasing the best start-ups and experience sharing by various founders; and a Demo Day and Pitching Competition among 20 start-up companies by Republic Polytechnic’s alumni and partners under the RP-Trendlines Agri-Food Incubation Programme.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who will be the guest of honour, will give an opening address at the SIAW 2023 Gala Dinner on 1 November. Culminating the week’s discussions, the 2023 Asia Food Challenge Report by Temasek, PWC and Rabobank will be launched and shared during the dinner.
This bi-annual report focuses on decarbonisation activities and initiatives in the agri-food industry to reduce carbon emissions, address the emissions gap and avoid irreversible damage to the planet.
For latest information on these key events, please visit sginternationalagrifoodweek.com.sg.
Source: Constellar
