Innovations in sustainable food production and decarbonisation initiatives to headline 2023’s Singapore International Agri-Food Week
Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) returns for its third edition from 30 October to 2 November to showcase the latest innovations in sustainable food production in the region’s agri-food industry. It will also spotlight decarbonisation initiatives to support companies in their transition to net zero emissions.
Held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, SIAW is a focused platform for knowledge exchange, opportunities exploration, networking, and collaboration to bolster food security and strengthen supply chains for the region. The event is hosted by global investment leader Temasek and co-hosted by the Singapore Food Agency, in partnership with Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, Agency for Science, Technology and Research and event organisers, Constellar and Rethink Events. SIAW 2023 expects an estimated 15,000 attendees this year.
SIAW will open with a by-invite-only Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations, hosted by the Singapore Food Agency. Key events include the thought leadership focused Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit; the region’s only focused exhibition platform Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA); and the Global Agri-Food Scientific Symposium to catalyse scientific advancement. More details on the individual events can be found in the Annex.
This year’s AFTEA highlights also include a Cultivated Meat Pavilion, hosted by the APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA), featuring cultivated meat; a Founder’s Hub showcasing the best start-ups and experience sharing by various founders; and a Demo Day and Pitching Competition among 20 start-up companies by Republic Polytechnic’s alumni and partners under the RP-Trendlines Agri-Food Incubation Programme.
Some highlights are;
Day 1: Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations – Organised by SFA, the Roundtable is a platform for regulators, local and international industry players, and members of international organisations to discuss latest technologies for novel food production, challenges in safety assessment, and explore opportunities to advance the regulatory approach while encouraging food innovations. Key international stakeholder groups attending this year include the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, UK’s Food Standards Agency, and US Department of Agriculture.
Days 2 – 4: Asia Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit – The summit convenes over 1,000 of the world’s leading agribusinesses, food brands, growers, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss how technology and investment can be targeted to have the greatest impact on the agri-food value chain in the Asia-Pacific region. Together these senior agri-food leaders will identify strategic priorities, share ideas and collaborate towards greater capacity, security and resilience. The three-day summit will feature start-up pitches, roundtable discussions and themed programmes for agriculture, food-tech, indoor farming, and blue food. From supporting the region’s smallholder farmers and seafood producers, to scaling novel foods and tackling energy efficiency in CEA, the summit will address the challenges in meeting demand for nutritious and affordable foods while reducing carbon throughout the supply chain.
Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia – Organised by Constellar, the Expo provides a focused exhibition platform with a “living lab” environment, thematic experiential zones, sandbox and community- based learning for emerging and established industry players in the agri-food industry to launch, showcase and testbed their solutions. The second edition will deep-dive into three key areas – Innovation, Sustainability and Safety – to explore solutions and technologies that will enhance every stage and aspect of the food production and manufacturing supply chain for future generations in the Asia-Pacific region.
SIAW Gala Dinner – The Singapore International Agri-Food Week 2023 Gala Dinner is set to gather a distinguished group of agri-food corporates, start-ups, investors, policy makers, and research scientists. This exclusive, invite-only event, held under the theme “Innovating for Sustainable Food Production in Asia,” promises an evening of networking, a four-course dinner featuring locally produced ingredients, and insightful discussions.
Global Scientific Symposium – Organised by SFA and the National University of Singapore, the symposium aims to bring together researchers, scientists, and technology solution providers to encourage the exchange of knowledge and catalyse scientific discussions amongst those with an interest in the food ecosystem. It also serves to advance cutting-edge science, technology and innovation, and foster collaboration to build agri-food capabilities for climate-resilient and sustainable food ecosystems.
