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World Bank Spring Meetings

16-22 April 2018, Washington, DC

The Spring Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness. Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world's financial system.

Food security and nutrition related events include: 

INNOVATIONS IN FOOD SAFETY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

When/Where: Wednesday April 18, 9 am – 10:30 am, MC13-121

What: High-level closed-door event. The purpose of the event is to highlight the links between food safety and the Sustainable Development Goals (SCGs) and make the case for farm-to-fork investments in food safety awareness, management practices and regulatory oversight. We believe that a forward-looking dialogue about the importance of food safety can make a valuable contribution to advancing the agenda, and helping achieve economic growth and the SDGs.  Food safety is increasingly being recognized as a major public health priority worldwide. Among low and middle-income countries experiencing rapid dietary and demographic changes, the burden of unsafe food—on health, productivity and domestic and international commerce—is growing. However, a large part of this burden is avoidable through preventative and coordinated efforts by governments and the private sector. Although this is a closed-door event, World Bank staff are welcome to attend if seats are available.

Who: Laura Tuck, Vice President, Sustainable Development, World Bank; Anna Abram, Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning, Legislation and Analysis, US Food and Drug Administration; Hon. Vu Duc Dam, Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam; Panelists: Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, CEO, PRAN-RFL Group; Nuri Gras, Executive Secretary, ACHIPIA, Chile; Penny Lukito, Chair, National Food and Drug Control, Indonesia; Christopher O’Connell, CEO, Waters Corporation; Mike Robach, Chairman, Global Food Safety Initiative. Moderator: Juergen Voegele, Senior Director, Food and Agriculture Global Practice, World Bank.

 

UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

When/Where: Wednesday April 18, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, I 2- 210

What: CSO Policy Forum session, organized by the Association for Community Empowerment Solutions with Triumphant Hand of Mercy Initiative. The session aims to stimulate discussion on the potential of women in agriculture and aquaculture to build sustainable and resilient communities. Social entrepreneurs from Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe will discuss evidence based best practices and models in creating climate-resilient community led solutions.

Who: CSO representatives and social entrepreneurs. Melissa Williams, Senior Rural Development Specialist, Food and Agriculture Global Practice, will participate in the session.

 

THE BETTER FARMING ALLIANCE: UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS TO REACH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 

When/Where: Friday April 20, 10 am to 11:15 am, IFC Auditorium

Livestreaming at: http://live.worldbank.org/better-life-farming 

What: IFC launch. Raising the productivity of smallholder farmers is essential for strengthening food security and reducing poverty in developing countries. However, they face numerous challenges to access finance, training, equipment, and markets. Join us and explore the challenges farmers in developing countries must overcome to build sustainable businesses. Learn how private companies and IFC are working to help address those challenges in a comprehensive way through the Better Life Farming Alliance.

Who: Panelists: Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa Region; Liam Condon, President and CEO of Bayer Crop Science; Nikhil da Victoria Lobo, Managing Director Americas and Head of Global Partnerships of Swiss Re; Gal Yardem, Senior Vice President Marketing and Agronomy of Netafim. Speakers: Ruth Kajuju M`irura, Smallholder farmer from Kenya; Henry Gurang Cambangay, Smallholder farmer from Philippines.

 

FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FOOD: MAXIMIZING FINANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAINS

When/Where: Saturday April 21, 12:30 to 1:30 pm, MC building, Wolfensohn Atrium

Livestreaming: http://live.worldbank.org/financing-the-future-of-food

What: Flagship event open to Spring meeting participants. The World Bank Group’s Maximizing Finance for Development (MFD) approach, which leverages private sector resources in fiscally, environmentally, and socially sustainable ways, can be a powerful engine for transforming the global food system into an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth. Join the World Bank Group and a diverse panel of speakers from the government, research and business worlds as they explore MFD in the agriculture sector and discuss opportunities to scale-up investments and innovation. 

Who: Stephanie von Friedeburg, Chief Operating officer, IFC (on behalf of WBG); Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cote d’Ivoire; Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); David Kamenetzky, Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer, AB InBev; Jorge Esteve Recolons, Member of the Board and Executive Committee of ECOM Agroindustrial; Moderator: Zeinab Badawi, International Broadcaster and Chair of the Royal African Society.

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