On December 9, 2024, the first virtual meeting of the WAFI2025 Advisory Committee was successfully convened, chaired by Professor FAN Shenggen. Representatives from the World Food Prize Foundation, China Agricultural University (CAU), CGIAR, and international organizations gathered to discuss the preparations for WAFI2025.

Figure 1 First Virtual Meeting of WAFI Advisory Committee

Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, co-chair of the WAFI Advisory Committee, opened the meeting with a speech celebrating the achievements of WAFI2024. He emphasized that its successful execution underscored WAFI's global impact. Recognized as one of the three leading international agricultural events, WAFI continues to attract participants worldwide, solidifying its growing influence.

Figure 2 Ambassador Kenneth Quinn

Professor FAN Shenggen provided a brief overview of the WAFI2024. The conference featured 42 forums and side events addressing critical issues, including youth, women, science, education, China-Africa cooperation, and the China-Brazil supply chain. The event welcomed over 5,000 in-person participants from 76 countries, with an impressive online audience of 160 million. Additionally, the WAFI Expo attracted 15,000 attendees and facilitated the signing of more than 20 international cooperation agreements.

Figure 3 Professor FAN Shenggen

President SUN Qixin highlighted that these accomplishments underscore WAFI's role as a key platform in the global agrifood sector, laying a strong foundation for WAFI 2025 preparations. He emphasized that next year's conference will center on the theme 'Resilient Food Supply for Agrifood Systems Transformation,' aiming to explore innovative and sustainable development pathways.

Figure 4 President SUN Qixin

WAFI2025 is set to take place from October 12 to 14, 2025, in Beijing's Pinggu District, followed by events at CAU on October 15 as part of the University's 120th anniversary celebrations. It will also feature an International Food Fair, promoting the integration of agricultural technology with global markets. Additionally, it plans to introduce awards honoring exceptional organizations and individuals for their significant contributions to agrifood innovations.

Attendees proposed several key recommendations, including enhancing interactivity at the conference, inviting farmers to participate in discussions, strengthening cooperation between China and other Southern nations, and fostering connections between smallholders and financial resources through the creation of financing platforms.

In his concluding remarks, President SUN Qixin emphasized that the WAFI philosophy is to drive sustainable development through innovation and collaboration.He urged continued support from all parties to ensure that the WAFI2025 becomes a landmark event for the global agrifood sector. He also revealed that the WAFI2025 will highlight the latest developments in Chinese agriculture, aligned with the country’s 14th and 15th Five-Year Plans.

WAFI2025 will remain action-oriented, connecting diverse stakeholders to promote agrifood innovation and resilient food systems worldwide, contributing wisdom and solutions to address current challenges in agriculture and food security.