As one of Australia’s most significant industries, the agribusiness industry is crucial to the nation’s post-pandemic rebuild. Australia’s world leading position across the sector will be promoted through a range of discussions, forums and events during Expo 2020 Dubai’s Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week, from 17 to 23 February 2022.
Australia is at the forefront of tackling global issues relating to food security, sustainability, and supply chains, with AUD800 million invested annually through 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) to improve the profitability and sustainability of rural industries and communities.
Australia presents exciting investment opportunities in the sector. With over 300 agritech and foodtech companies, Australia is renowned for its premium produce and agricultural innovation. Yearly Australian exports to the UAE are valued at AUD688 million, with the agribusiness relationship between the two countries a strong economic driver for both.
Throughout Expo’s Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods Week, leading experts, chefs and changemakers from across the globe will deliberate and discuss how farms of the future will utilise technology to feed the planet. A significant contingent of Australian experts across the agtech and foodtech sectors will discuss, among other topics:
- Ensuring agriculture works in harmony with our ecosystems
- Cultivating responsible consumption habits to reduce food waste
- Transforming the way we produce and consume, to ensure good food for all.
Home to 60 per cent of the world’s organic farmland, covering 35 million hectares, Australia leads the world in producing ‘clean and green foods.’ With robotics and remote sensors for traceability, bioscience, and advanced food manufacturing technologies, Australia’s agricultural sector embraces emerging technologies to ensure the quality and sustainability of food production, increased efficiency, and waste reduction. To foster long-term prosperity of the supply chain, Australian meat and livestock experts focus on delivering responsible, sustainable and high-quality products, from the farm to the table.
To showcase the best of Australian produce, bringing the ‘farm to table’ concept to life, world-class Australian Celebrity chef Aaron Brooks will take centre stage at Expo’s Australia Pavilion from 15 to 19 February 2022. Working alongside the team from True Aussie Beef and Lamb Chef Brooks, also knowns as the “Lambassador,” will delight guests with inventive Australian cuisine.
Throughout Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods Week, a large number of Australian experts will be participating in events to showcase Australian capabilities. Highlights include:
World Majlis: Farms of the Future – Feeding the Planet with Technology — 4-6pm, 17 February. Australia Pavilion
Co-curated by Australia and moderated by Sheikh Dr Majid Al Qassimi, this majlis will address the challenge of ensuring food availability while simultaneously reducing environmental harm caused by agriculture. It will spotlight innovations to help farms be more productive while reducing environmental impact. Australian panellists include:
- Professor Andrew Lowe – (virtual speaker) inaugural Director of Food Innovation and Chair of Plant Conservation Biology at the University of Adelaide
o Andrew leads several national and regional research programs, including the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), for which he was Associate Science Director, and also helped establish the Transects for Environmental Monitoring and Decision-making (TREND) program.
- Matthew Atkins – General Manager of Bega Foods International and Food Service
o An expert in the farming industry across finance, supply chain and commercial aspects, Matthew will bring his insights regarding Farms of the Future and how technology can advance, and enhance, the industry.
- Andrew Cox – General Manager, International Markets for Meat & Livestock Australia
o Andrew will be sharing the work being led by MLA with their focus on sustainable farming practice, committed to developing innovative farming solutions and finding ways to reduce carbon emissions.
World Majlis: The Value of Food – Rethinking the Cycle of Food Waste — 4-6pm, 20 February. Terra Auditorium
Held at Terra Auditorium, this majlis will feature discussion from Katy Barfield, a food waste veteran and the Founding CEO of social enterprise Yume Food. To date, Katy and Yume have preveted over 3 million kilograms of surplus food from going to waste.
Good Food for All – 12 -3:30pm, 20 February, DEC South Hall 2A
Featuring Anika Molesworth, founding director of Farmers for Climate Action.
Convening chefs, policymakers, entrepreneurs, youth advocates and thought leaders to raise awareness on the importance of food security for human progress, this People-facing flagship event will mobilise citizens to act and commit to achieving zero hunger and creating a world with good food for all.
Thematic Business Forum: Spotlighting the Roll of Smallholder Farming Across Agriculture Value Chains – 3:50 – 4:25pm, 21 February at DEC North Hall 1
Featuring David Davies, CEO of AgUnity. This business forum will be a platform to highlight non-traditional business opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and progress achieved by the UAE, participating countries and Expo Partners in the spheres of the food, agriculture, and livelihoods sectors. The forum will also be an opportunity for partners to have meaningful conversations that ultimately foster knowledge transfer and business opportunities.
The world is today facing the pressing challenge of unsustainable food production and consumption practices. Unprecedented global issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, etc., have impacted agricultural chains and food systems, further exacerbating food and nutrition crises.
Thematic Business Forum: How do we sustainably grow food to meet future demand?
5.10pm -5:40pm, 21 February. DEC North Hall 1
Featuring David Davies, CEO of AgUnity, this forum will address how disruptive technology will bolster the global food system, along with: What are the current challenges to the food systems and how does tech solve it? What technologies are changing our future? Winners of the Dubai Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme, AgUnity has developed a smartphone and ‘super app’ based solution for the world’s smallholder farming communities, a simple mobile product restoring trust and enabling remote connection. The grant will support AgUnity’s continued development of the smartphone application.
World Majlis | Food for Thought: How will we Eat in the Future? — 4-6pm, 22 February. Italy Pavilion
Features Professor Michelle Colgrave (Virtual), Molecular Analysis Team Leader at Queensland-based CSIRO Agriculture and Food. Professor Colgrave will address questions around what the future diet might look like. CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) is Australia’s National Science agency and helps solve the world’s greatest challenges through innovation in science and technology.
Food for Future Summit – 10 – 6pm, 23 February DEC Hall 1 South
Featuring David Davies, CEO of AgUnity. The UAE Food and Water Security Office will host an inaugural summit that will serve as an annual platform for the world’s policymakers, food producers, innovators, researchers, investors and community members to leverage their various expertise and develop strategies for safeguarding present and future generations from hunger and malnutrition. The conference will feature inspiring and practical use cases on: tech-enabled food production; overcoming the food waste battle, redefining nutrition policies, facilitating global agri-business trade and immediate and effective responses to food crises and emergencies.
‘Key Ingredients’ Food for the Soul: Exploring Traditions of Gastronomy and Cultivation Through the Ages — 12-4pm, 26 February. Australia Pavilion
Held at Australia Pavilion’s central forecourt, Justin McGowan, Commissioner General, Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will host this event which brings a playful approach to the intrinsic link between food and culture. The event will invite local, regional and international artists, chefs, researchers, scientists, and curators to share their stories.
Alongside these thought-provoking events during Expo’s Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods Week, the Australian Pavilion’s forecourt eateries will offer guests an array of Aussie classics including Tim Tams, Vegemite and Milo, along with gourmet Australian produce. Visitors will enjoy a range of events, demonstrations, and competitions as Australia welcomes the world with open arms to learn about the nation’s leading capabilities in food and agribusiness.
THE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION AT EXPO 2020 DUBAI
Situated in the heart of the Mobility District at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Australian Pavilion pays homage to a nation built on mobility. From our earliest histories to the modern day, the movement of people and ideas are embedded in our nation’s DNA. As one of the world’s most multicultural societies, Australia brings a powerful understanding of how the transfer of people, innovations, and culture work together to build economies and enrich lives. The Pavilion theme, Blue Sky Dreaming, encapsulates Australian optimism and creativity and celebrates Australian diversity and collaboration, envisaging a future of infinite possibilities founded on 60,000 years of innovation.
From under the gleaming canopy of its cumulus cloud-inspired roof, the Australian Pavilion visitor experience will tell Australia’s story, from ancient indigenous know-how to modern day discovery and invention. Visitors will be invited to share, see, and hear about our people, land, history, and innovation connecting communities locally and globally. The Pavilion provides a compelling experience of Australia through immersive storytelling, bold artistic art installations, and true Australian hospitality through Australian inspired-food and culturally diverse entertainment.
The Pavilion will also host a strategic program of events connecting Australian business and industry to global trade and investment opportunities, and demonstrating the best of Australian products, services, and expertise to other participating countries.
