The conference, hosted by the European Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), will discuss how research, technology and innovation can contribute to food for all. It will look at the best way to foster sustainability of food supply on a global scale. It will examine the need to increase food production while respecting sustainable development and shed light on questions related to markets and competitiveness.
Among the speakers will be representatives of national governments and of international organisations and institutions: the United Nations, the World Bank and the Commission of the African Union. The following members of the European Commission will contribute to the different sessions: Commissioners Cioloş, Geoghegan-Quinn, Piebalgs and Potočnik.
Food security is a complex topic and calls for a cross-disciplinary approach. JRC's interdisciplinary work, carried out in its seven Institutes and in cooperation with international experts, covers the relevant research areas and global challenges: environment, climate change, energy, biotechnology, technology foresight and global security. With its scientific expertise - ranging from soil quality to drought and flood monitoring, GMO detection methods and new breeding techniques to crop yield forecasts and crisis monitoring - the JRC backs up EU legislation, action plans and programmes.
The JRC will present their latest research results, in particular a new study looking at the links between armed conflict and natural resources. JRC activities related to food security will be showcased in an exhibition located near the conference room and speakers and experts will be available for interviews and background briefings.
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