Food Forever: Safeguarding Crop Diversity and Shaping the Future of Food

This event features a high-level panel discussion followed by a unique 'Food Forever' culinary experience. Distinguished experts will explore the critical role of crop diversity in ensuring global food security and sustainability in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. They will discuss the need for collective action to address significant underfunding of this global resource. Making use of the potential of crop diversity will require us to catalyze international cooperation and mobilize public and private sector financial resources to safeguard all options for current and future breeding efforts.

Following the panel, an innovative chef will demonstrate the nutritional and culinary potential of underutilized crops. Guests will savor exquisite dishes crafted from lesser-known crops, highlighted during the panel discussion.

This immersive event showcases how safeguarding and utilizing agrobiodiversity can lead to a more diverse, nutritious, and sustainable future. By bridging theory and practice, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of conserving and using crop diversity in addressing current and emerging global challenges.

Welcome speech
Christian Hofer, Director General of the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture

Keynote address
- H.E. Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
- H.E. Angel Manuel Manero Campos, Minister for Agrarian Development and Irrigation of the Republic of Peru
- Dr Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, World Food Prize 2024 Laureat

Podium speakers
- Dr Bernhard Lorentz, a Managing Partner and the Global Consulting Sustainability Leader of Deloitte and Founding Chair of the Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress (DCSP).
- Dr Michael Keller, ISF Secretary general
- Dr Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- H.E. Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile,  Ambassador of South Africa and Chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS)
- Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR

Moderation
- Dr Stefan Schmitz, Crop Trust Executive Director
- Ms Joanna Purcell, Crop Trust Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Lead 

Person for media requests
Cody Gildart, Chief Communications Officer
cody.gildart@croptrust.org
+49 172 489 5910 

Florie Marion, Chief Communications FOAG
florie.marion@blw.admin.ch
+41 58 46 11441