The Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) will return for its fourth edition from 18 to 22 November at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. This major event serves as Asia’s leading platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, attracting global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address pressing challenges in agri-food technology.
This year’s theme, “Scaling Innovation in Asia’s Agri-Food Systems,” encompasses four main events: the Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit, the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia, and the Global Agri-Food Scientific Symposium. Together, they will showcase cutting-edge developments in sustainable food production and offer opportunities for attendees to network and collaborate.
The SIAW will kick off with a Welcome Reception on the evening of 18 November, officiated by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Gan Kim Yong. This exclusive, invitation-only event will provide a platform for networking among key stakeholders in the agri-food sector, including corporates, start-ups, investors, and policymakers.
Jointly organised by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Temasek, with support from various government bodies, SIAW 2024 anticipates welcoming 12,000 attendees from 82 countries, alongside 300 exhibitors and 400 speakers. Nurasa, a Temasek company focused on sustainable nutrition, is a Gold Partner for this year’s event.
As Asia approaches a projected population of 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for high-quality food and nutrition will increase significantly. However, challenges such as climate change and supply chain disruptions could jeopardise food systems’ ability to meet this growing demand. This makes innovation and cooperation vital for transforming food systems to be more resilient and sustainable.
The Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations, organised by the SFA, will focus on advancing food production technologies and addressing safety assessment challenges. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit aims to bring together 1,000 stakeholders to discuss climate adaptation, decarbonisation, and nourishment strategies. The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Sustainability.
The Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA) will provide a dedicated space for showcasing innovations in the agri-food industry, featuring 300 exhibitors, including 100 start-ups. New additions to this year’s event include the Precision Fermentation Pavilion and the Climate-Smart Practice Forum, which will host discussions led by leaders from global organisations.
Finally, the Global Agri-Food Scientific Symposium will unite researchers and technology providers to promote knowledge exchange and scientific discussions on the future of food sustainability and security.
In a world facing urgent food system challenges, SIAW stands as a crucial nexus for regional agri-food innovation, collaboration, and action, driving significant advancements in sustainable food practices.
