The global food system is facing momentous global changes: rapid urbanisation and rising middle income populations; changing diets; climate change; political uncertainties and anti-globalisation sentiments; and advances in technology in and out of agriculture, among other large-scale trends. At the same time, multiple burdens of malnutrition persist, with 815 million people suffering from hunger, 2 billion living with micronutrient deficiencies, 155 million children under five stunted, and 1.9 billion people overweight or obese. For food systems to help achieve the end of hunger and malnutrition while addressing other social, economic, and environmental goals, innovation will be key.

Dr Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), will discuss the role of innovations in policy, institutions, and technology to reshape food systems to achieve multiple development goals in the context of rapid global change.