Plenary I:  Advancing Public Understanding and Support for Bio-Innovation 

Session Organisers: Fan-Li Chou (Chair), Leah Buchman, Reimond Corona , Ana Granados Chapatte , Alison Van Eenennaam, Jennifer Anderson 

Confirmed speaker:  

• Ms. Julie Borlaug - Keynote Speaker, President of Borlaug Consulting and the Borlaug Foundation

• Mr. German Vighi, Board member GeneSprout Initiative;  KU Leuven Plant Institute 

• Dr. Zach Adelman, Professor, Entomology Department, Texas A&M University 

This plenary session will explore strategies and initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness, trust and support of the application of bio-innovation in the agricultural and environmental sectors.  The speakers represent leading experts in research, policy development, and communications, and will discuss innovative approaches, best practices, and policy frameworks geared towards promoting greater understanding and societal backing for bio-innovation.  Additionally, the session will examine the role of research in understanding public values, enhancing public trust, and facilitating the responsible adoption of biotechnological solutions in agriculture and environmental settings.  The plenary session seeks to enrich the discussion and contribute to the development of actionable strategies for advancing public understanding and support for bio-innovation. 

Plenary II:  Exploring Scientific Opportunities, Advancements, Benefits, and Challenges in Bio-innovation 

Session Organisers: Mitscheli Sanches da Rocha (Chair), Marc Heijde, Fan-Li Chou, Suma Chakravarthy, Leena Tripathi, Jennifer Anderson 

Confirmed speakers:  

• Steven Runo - Keynote Speaker,  Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology | Kenyatta University 

• Dr. Cathie Martin, John Innes Centre 

• Ms. Shade Sabitu, Director, Regulatory Science and Operations, Pivot Bio  

• Dr. Jean-Yves Paul, Queensland University of Technology

• Dr. Clint Nesbitt, Global Director of Regulatory and External Affairs, Genus PLC

New scientific advancements and historical scientific data play a crucial role in shaping the discussions of today and influencing future decisions regarding bio-innovation. This plenary session will highlight advancements and challenges in the field and will explore the potential opportunities and benefits of biotechnology in agriculture, nutrition, food security, and related topics. With an emphasis on science-based problem formulation, risk analysis, and safety assessments, this plenary session will provide a platform for scientists, researchers, academics, and regulators to discuss the recent scientific advancements in plants, microbes, and animal biotechnology. 

Plenary III:  Governance, Policy, and Regulatory Frameworks: Exploring the global landscape and impact on bio-innovation 

Session Organisers: Jennifer Anderson  (Co-Chair), Suma Chakravarth (Co-Chair), Leah Buchman, Reimond Corona, Marcos Pupin, Pedro Rocha, Petra Jorasch 

Confirmed speakers:  

• Dr. Rodomiro Ortiz - Keynote Speaker, Professor and Chair of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences  

• Dr. Olalekan Akinbo, Prof and Head, Genome Editing Programme, African Union Development Agency - NEPAD
• Ms. Irene Sacristán Sánchez, Head of Biotechnology Unit, DG SANTE, European Commission
• Ms. Bernadette Juarez, Deputy Administrator for Biotechnology Regulatory Services, USDA

• Dr. Leandro Astarita, Chair of the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio), Brazil  

• Dr. Lourdes Taylo, Project Leader of the Bt Eggplant Project; University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) 

This session will explore the importance of flexible and adaptable global governance and policy frameworks to support the rapid advancements in bio-innovation.  Topics of interest will broadly explore the regulatory and policy landscape pertaining to the application of genetic modification, genome editing or gene drives in agriculture (crops, animals and biologicals), bio-industries and environmental management.  The session will showcase examples of global regulations that are being adapted to foster an environment conducive to innovation while ensuring responsible development and deployment of bio-technological solutions.  The session also highlights the socioeconomic impacts of different policy approaches on the timely adoption of bio-innovation.  This plenary session will serve as a platform for scientists and researchers from academia and industry, as well as regulators to discuss different policy approaches and frameworks, their implementation, and the opportunities and challenges related to bringing sustainable bio-innovation to the market globally.

Plenary IV:  Enhancing the potential of bio-innovation for a sustainable future 

Session Organisers: Heidi Mitchell (Chair), Macros (Antonio) Pupin, Ana Granados Chapatte , Aparna Islam, Jens Sundstrom, Jennifer Anderson 

Confirmed speakers:  

• Dr. Carl Ramage - Moderator Panel Discussion, Rautaki Solutions PTY LTD. 
• Dr. Eric Andreasson, Professor at the Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Studies
• Prof. Dr. Justus Wesseler, Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University, The Netherlands

This session will explore the importance of leveraging bio-innovation to develop sustainable and innovative solutions. Topics will be centered on the need for bio-innovation to support food, agriculture, and industry in the face of population increase, extreme weather, and changing climate. The need for flexible and transparent policies to enable biotechnology advancements (e.g. genetically modified crops, genome editing in plants and animals, agricultural biologicals, and other emerging bio-innovations) will be discussed. This plenary session will serve as a platform for farmers, scientists, researchers, academics, and regulators to discuss science, innovative solutions, public acceptance, and policy development for sustainable biotechnologies. 

Important Dates