On June 15, the “WAFI Dialogue” series, as part of events leading up to the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI), was held at the International Conference Center of China Agricultural University (CAU). President Sun Qixin engaged in a dialogue with Dr. Johan Swinnen, focusing on “Building Resilient Global Agrifood Systems”. The session was moderated by Prof. Fan Shenggen.

Fan Shenggen, Dean of the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy (AGFEP) at CAU and Executive Chair of the WAFI Advisory Committee, said the global food system is under mounting pressure from climate change, geopolitical conflicts and trade tensions. These factors, he noted, are reshaping the landscape of food security worldwide.

Sun Qixin, President of CAU, underscored the urgency of transitioning to more sustainable agrifood systems amid growing climate uncertainties. He also provided updates on preparations for the upcoming WAFI2025 conference, which he said will continue serving as a platform for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Dr. Johan Swinnen, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), highlighted key milestones from IFPRI's 50 years of work in global food policy research. He said the global food system is undergoing structural changes that require a re-evaluation of investment framework and policy design. Dr. Swinnen also praised WAFI's role in fostering international agricultural dialogue and reaffirmed IFPRI's commitment to working with institutions such as CAU in areas including agricultural policy, nutrition and climate resilience.

After the keynote sharing session at the WAFI Dialogue, the event moved into an engaging Q&A session with the audience. In response to the enthusiastic and thought-provoking questions from attendees, President. Sun and Dr. Swinnen provided professional and thoughtful answers.

Despite complex global dynamics, Dr. Swinnen noted that shared interests in food security and agricultural development remain strong -- particularly in South-South cooperation, technology sharing and regional policy coordination. He called for strengthened multilateral collaboration.

On China-Africa agricultural cooperation, President Sun said the partnership remains a priority, focusing on agricultural education and technology transfer. He proposed encouraging more African students to study in China to gain both academic and practical experience, including work on demonstration farms and engagement with policy frameworks. China, he added, will continue to support technology transfer and capacity-building efforts to help enhance agricultural productivity and governance across Africa.

The "WAFI Dialogue" series is a key lead-up and regular feature of the conference. First launched during the preparations for WAFI 2022 (formerly known as "WAFI Summit Dialogue"), the initiative aims to amplify the voices of global agrifood scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and outstanding youth on the theme “Innovating AgriFood, Sharing Future”.

世界农业科技创新大会（英文缩写：WAFI）作为农食系统融合创新的全球交流合作平台，深入推动农食系统转型，促进政产学研用互动以及多领域对话与合作，创造健康、韧性、包容、可持续的农业未来。大会成功举办以来，赢得了国内外同仁的高度认可，被誉为世界三大农业盛会之一。

2025世界农业科技创新大会以“践行大食物观，共建韧性食物供应体系”为主题，于2025年10月12日至15日在中国北京平谷举行，届时将举办开幕式、全体会议、专题会议、平行会议、边会、创新秀、博览会等多场次、多类型的同期活动。

World AgriFood Innovation Conference (WAFI) is a global platform promoting integrated innovation in agrifood systems. It drives system transformation, fosters collaboration across government, industry, academia, and research institutions, and supports the creation of a healthy, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future. As one of the world's top three major agricultural events, WAFI has earned wide international recognition.

WAFI2025 will be held from October 12 to 15, 2025, in Pinggu, Beijing, China, under the theme “Resilient Food Supply For Agrifood Systems Transformation”. The conference will feature an opening ceremony, parallel sessions, thematic forums, meetings, side events, innovation shows, and an expo, offering a diverse range of activities in various formats.