Food System Resilience - Global and Asian Perspectives
Singapore, Singapore
26/05/2020
9:30 am – 11:15 am
GoToWebinar
Background
COVID-19 has through its unrelenting spread over the past months, affected millions around the world. Besides unprecedented governments measures through social and public health systems to contain the extensive illness and death tragedies, we are seeing damages to vast sectors of industries that are pillars to trade and economy of most countries, such as food and supply chains, jobs, commerce, education, tourism and etc.
This webinar is one of a series organized by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and its entities in Asia to share pertinent aspects and insights in science, food resilience, health research, and measures, as well as technological developments that can be harnessed to mitigate and address the longer-term impact of COVID-19.
Three eminent experts with global experience will kick start the 1st of the regional series organized by ILSI Asia on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The experts will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the short term food supply chain, and longer-term consequences to the fundamentals of our food systems, and identify where the strengths and weaknesses are in our food security preparedness, as well as future investments needed. The collaborative role and efforts of public policy and private agri-food and food & beverage processors at global, national, and community levels will be crucial to prevent a food crisis that may threaten the nutrition security of Asia, especially among the vulnerable populations. Which industry will face the biggest challenges and how will the structural change in the agro-food sector be driven? Will the changes in consumer consumption and purchasing behavior brought on by this pandemic become the new normal? How will Asia, with some parts of the continent already challenged to feed themselves, address the supply chain issues? Where will innovations and investments be needed? We welcome you to JOIN the DISCUSSION!
Recording
The webinar recording is available for viewing HERE.
Agenda
Brief:
Introduction to ILSI - Mrs. Boon Yee Yeong, Executive Director, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore
Presentation 1:
Impact of COVID-19 on Global Food Supply Chain - Current Status, Implication, and Outlook into the Future
- Prof. Dr. Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor, China Agricultural University, China (Former Director-General of International Food Policy Research Institute, USA)
Presentation 2:
Sustaining ASEAN Food Supply and Food System Resilience - Challenges and Opportunities (2020-2025)
- Prof. Dr. Paul Teng, Dean & Managing Director, National Institute of Education International/ Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Presentation 3:
The Post-COVID New Normal Environment, Possible Asia F&A Landscape and Industry Changes
- Mr. Ping Chew, Head of Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory, Rabobank Asia Pacific, Singapore
Panel Discussion- Moderator: Mr. Geoffry Smith, President, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore.
Meet the Speakers
Prof. Dr. Shenggen Fan, China Agricultural University, China
Prof. Dr. Paul Teng, NIEI/NTU, Singapore
Mr. Ping Chew,
Rabobank Asia Pacific, Singapore
Mr. Geoffry Smith,
ILSI SEA Region, Singapore
Publication
Abstract:
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food system has exposed the vulnerabilities of the supply chain, although the extent of disruption varies widely, globally and in Asia. However, food systems in Asia have been proven relatively resilient when compared with other regions. This paper considers the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food system, particularly in Asia, and initial responses of governments and global agencies to manage the crisis. A major focus of the paper is on the outlook for food system resilience in a post-COVID-19 environment and likely long-term effects of the pandemic. There is always a possibility of such shock events occurring in the future, hence it seems prudent to look at lessons that may be learned from the responses to the current pandemic.
Fan, S., Teng, P., Chew., P., Smith, G. & Copeland, L. 2021. Food System Resilience and COVID-19 - Lessons from the Asian Experience. Global Food Security 28, 100501 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100501
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 has through its unrelenting spread over the past months, affected millions around the world. Besides unprecedented governments measures through social and public health systems to contain the extensive illness and death tragedies, we are seeing damages to vast sectors of industries that are pillars to trade and economy of most countries, such as food and supply chains, jobs, commerce, education, tourism and etc. This webinar is one of a series organized by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and its entities in Asia to share pertinent aspects and insights in science, food resilience, health research, and measures, as well as technological developments that can be harnessed to mitigate and address the longer-term impact of COVID-19. Three eminent experts with global experience will kick start the 1st of the regional series organized by ILSI Asia on Tuesday May 26, 2020. The experts will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the short term food supply chain, and longer-term consequences to the fundamentals of our food systems, and identify where the strengths and weaknesses are in our food security preparedness, as well as future investments needed. The collaborative role and efforts of public policy and private agri-food and food & beverage processors at global, national, and community levels will be crucial to prevent a food crisis that may threaten the nutrition security of Asia, especially among the vulnerable populations. Which industry will face the biggest challenges and how will the structural change in the agro-food sector be driven? Will the changes in consumer consumption and purchasing behavior brought on by this pandemic become the new normal? How will Asia, with some parts of the continent already challenged to feed themselves, address the supply chain issues? Where will innovations and investments be needed? We welcome you to JOIN the DISCUSSION!
REGISTRATION
No registration fee. To register, click HERE.
AGENDA
Brief: Introduction to ILSI SEA Region - by Mrs. Boon Yee Yeong, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore Presentation 1: Impact of COVID-19 on Global Food Supply Chain - Current Status, Implication, and Outlook into the Future - by Prof. Dr. Shenggan Fan, China Agricultural University, China
Global supply chains have been severely affected by the COVID-19. To prevent a food crisis, efforts are needed at the global, national and even community level to ensure smooth functioning of supply chains. Green channels for fresh foods and migrant workers, e-commerce and point-to-point delivery, and prohibition of export bans must be pursued. Economic stimulus packages should also cover smallholder farmers, rural migrants, and extreme population groups.
Presentation 2: Sustaining ASEAN Food Supply and Food System Resilience - Challenges and Opportunities (2020-2025) - by Prof. Dr. Paul Teng, NIEI/NTU, Singapore
The ASEAN region has many food systems which originate in agriculture and from which food supply chains spread worldwide. At any time, the stability and resilience of these food systems and their supply chains are threatened by disruptors, including “Black Swan” events like COVID-19. ASEAN member states vary in their food security preparedness, and there are notable public and private players responsible for sustaining its supply chains. COVID-19 has revealed the strengths and weaknesses in ASEAN’s food systems, but also pointed to some mid-term opportunities for improvements as the region moves towards its 2025 Vision.
Presentation 3: The Post-COVID New Normal Environment, Possible Asia F&A Landscape and Industry Changes - by Mr. Ping Chew, Rabobank, Singapore
COVID-19 has sent shockwaves across the world affecting all aspects of our lives, with human lives lost, consumer and social behavior changes, business operations, and supply chain disruptions, and economic decline. It has also made clear we have taken the strong demand, smooth production, and flow of goods for granted. While the agri-food sector has not been as badly hit as compared to say tourism, it nevertheless will undergo significant structural changes. What will drive these changes to the agrifood industry? How will Asia, which already can’t feed itself, address the supply chain issues? Where are innovation and investment needed? These questions are urgent and needed even as the virus continues to ravage.
Panel Discussion- Moderator: Mr. Geoffry Smith, ILSI SEA Region, Singapore
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Prof. Dr. Shenggan Fan 
Prof. Dr. Shenggen Fan is Chair Professor at China Agricultural University (CAU). Prior to joining CAU, Prof. Fan was Director-General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) from 2009 to 2019. He joined IFPRI in 1995 as a research fellow, conducting extensive research on pro-poor development strategies in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Prof. Fan led IFPRI’s program on public investment before becoming the Director of the Institute’s Development Strategy and Governance Division in 2005. He served as member, Vice Chair and Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Food and Nutrition Security. Prof. Fan was awarded an honorary life member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) in 2018 and became the Fellow of American Applied Economics Association (AAEA) in 2020. In 2014, he received the Hunger Hero Award from the World Food Programme in recognition of his commitment to and leadership in fighting hunger worldwide. Prof. Fan received a Ph.D in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing Agricultural University in China. Prof. Dr. Paul Teng
Prof. Dr. Paul Teng is Dean and Managing Director of NIEI Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He is also Adjunct Senior Fellow, Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU Singapore; Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University, Australia; and Senior Fellow, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippines. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in food security, commercialization and biosafety of crop biotechnology, agrotechnology innovations, bio-entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. He has over thirty years of experience in agri-food issues from positions in international organizations (the International Rice Research Institute, WorldFish Centre), U.S. universities (University of Minnesota, University of Hawaii) and the private sector. Prof. Teng has won numerous awards for his work such as the Eriksson Prize in Plant Pathology (Royal Swedish Academy of Science), an Honorary Doctor of Science (from Murdoch University, Australia) and is a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, the International Society of Plant Pathology, and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). He is Immediate Past-Chair, Genetic Modification Advisory Committee, Singapore and is also currently Chairman, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). He has edited/ edited fifteen books, authored/co-authored four books and published over 250 technical papers. His latest book co-authored with Manda Foo in 2018 Issues in Food and Food Security.
Mr. Ping Chew
Mr. Ping Chew is the Rabobank’s Head of Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory in Asia and has many years of experience in research and analysis. Mr. Chew joined Rabobank from Standard & Poor’s where he spent 16 years in various senior positions with the latest as the firm’s Head of Greater China. Prior to this, he led their Asian Corporate & Government Ratings practice based out of Singapore. He started his career with the Ministry of Defence in Singapore where he held various combat and staff positions.
Mr. Geoffry Smith
Mr. Geoffry Smith is President of ILSI Southeast Asia Region based in Singapore, and a Representative of the branch to the ILSI Global Assembly. He is also the Chairman of the Essential Micronutrients Foundation, a non-profit organization which addresses micronutrient deficiencies globally as a public health issue. In addition, he is Director of Nutrition Strategies International which deals with food and nutrition issues in developing countries. Mr. Smith serves as a member of the editorial board of the journal Food and Nutrition Bulletin. Prior to his current positions, Mr. Smith was the Global Director, Health Chelates for Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals, and directed the global business for these compounds in food and nutrition as well as pharmaceutical applications. He was responsible for the global project within Akzo Nobel addressing iron deficiency anemia. In addition, Mr. Smith directed the Asia Pacific activities for Akzo Nobel's Innovation Unit. He is a thirty-year veteran of the chemical industry in the Asia Pacific and has resided in Singapore for more than 25 years. He is a Member of the Nutrition Society of the UK, the American Society of Nutrition, and the American Chemical Society.