World Food Day 2023

The theme for this year’s event: Recognizing the role of the Private Sector in Creating Sustainable Food Systems. With this theme NFP puts the focus on the role the private sector plays in creating sustainable and inclusive food systems, as one of the partners within the so-called ‘diamond approach’ in partnerships with government, civil society and knowledge institutions.

Programme: (Updated Sept 15)

12:00 CET Doors open De Rijtuigenloods

13:30 Welcome 

• NFP CEO Ivo Demmers
• WFD Moderator/Master of Ceremonies Simone van Trier
• Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands 
• Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands.

13:40 Opening Remarks by Steven Collet Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

13:50 Keynote Speech by Jan Low, Leader of the Sweet Potato for Profit and Health Initiative, International Potato Center, Co-Recipient of the World Food Prize 2016

14:00 Panel Discussion: Identifying the Role of the Private Sector in Creating Sustainable Food Systems

• Margaret Shava, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya in the Netherlands

• Jan Low, Leader of the Sweet Potato for Profit and Health Initiative, International Potato Center, Co-Recipient of the World Food Prize 2016

• Alex Datema, Director of Agri and Food, Rabobank

• Thomas Westhoff, President, IAAS 2022-23, Member of the Supervisory Board, NFP

• Danielle Hirsch, Director, Both Ends

14:30 Break and Networking

15:00- 16:00  Side Events:

• Investing in Agroecology Entrepreneurship to achieve Sustainable food systems  (Hosted by Agroecology and Business CoP)
• Inclusive Finance for Sustainable Food Systems (Hosted by European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP))
• International responsible business conduct: from legal to moral to impact. (Hosted by the foodFIRST coalition in collaboration with the Social Economic Council (SER) and other experts.)
• The Private Sector as a Partner for Scaling Up Research in the Global South (Hosted by NL-CGIAR Strategic Partnership)
• Cultivating Change: Climate Action through Private Sector Food Innovation (Hosted by Clim-Eat)
• Food Loss Reduction in Avocado and Dairy Value Chains in Kenya (Hosted by Food waste reduction and Food Quality Living Lab (FORQLAB))
• Launch of the SalineAgro Marp (Hosted by Saline Water & Food Systems Partnership)
• Informality matters: The Vital Role of the Biggest Private Sector in creating Sustainable Food Systems (Hosted by Food Systems Approach CoP (SNV, WUR, BoPInc, IIED))
• True Pricing: Beyond the oatmilk elite (Hosted by Global Partnership for the True Price of Food)
• Striking a Balance Podcast: Navigating Dilemmas in Plant Breeders' Rights and Farmers' Rights (Hosted and to be Published as Part of a Podcast Series by SeedNL)

16:45 Closing Panel: How Far Are We Prepared to Go?

Moderated by Simone van Trier

Panellists to be announced soon.

17:30 Drinks and Networking

18:30 Doors Close