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In today’s fast-changing world and evolving food systems, the need for evidence-based food policy has never been more urgent – demanding research that is timely, inclusive, and tailored to context.
Reliable data and rigorous analysis are essential, but research must also evolve – and become more timely, more relevant, and more inclusive of diverse voices and disciplines. Strengthening how we generate, communicate, and apply evidence is key to ensuring food systems deliver better outcomes for people and the planet.
Join us at IFPRI for a high-level seminar that brings together researchers, policymakers, development partners and leading food system thinkers who have helped deliver science-based impact around the world to explore:
- The role of food policy research in shaping past policies, programs, and investments
- Emerging research questions and challenges in a rapidly shifting global landscape
- How research and outreach must adapt to strengthen pathways from evidence to impact
- How research institutions can adapt to remain responsive in a rapidly changing world
To mark IFPRI’s 50th anniversary, the event will also celebrate the contributions of the Institute’s alumni and launch the Institute’s new research strategy.
The draft agenda is below and will be updated as confirmations come in. Stay tuned for the latest details.
09:00 – 10:15 | Inaugural Session
Master of Ceremony: Hazel Malapit, Senior Research Coordinator, IFPRI
Introductory Remarks
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
- Pascal Lamy, Vice-President of the Paris Peace Forum and President of the European branch of the Brunswick Group and IFPRI Board Chair
Food Policy Research: Past Achievements and Future Priorities
Moderated by: Purnima Menon, Senior Director, Food and Nutrition Policy; Acting Senior Director, Transformation Strategy
- H.E. Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mexico
- Ramesh Chand, Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)
- Santiago Alba-Corral, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada
- Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice President, IFAD
- Dan Irvine, Global Director of Health and Nutrition, World Vision International
- Asif Saleh, Executive Director, BRAC
- Alice Ruhweza, President, AGRA (invited)
Q&A with audience
10:30 – 11:20 | Making an Impact: Successes and Future Approaches
Moderated by: Alan de Brauw, Senior Research Fellow, Markets, Trade, & Institutions, IFPRI
How Can We Assess Impact of Policy Research?: Rebecca Gong Sharp, CEO, IDInsight
Independent Impact Assessment of Fifty Years of IFPRI’s Research: Peter Hazell, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI
Impact Stories
- Social protection: Shalini Roy, Senior Research Fellow, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion, IFPRI
- Nutrition: Gabriela Fretes, Research Fellow, Nutrition, Diets, and Health, IFPRI
- Public Investments: John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, Africa | Development Strategies and Governance, IFPRI
- Tools and models: Karl Pauw, Senior Research Fellow, Foresight and Policy Modeling, IFPRI
11:20 – 12:15 | Accelerating Research-to-Impact Pathways
Moderated by: Peter Hazell, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI
- Edward Mabaya, Research Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
- Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategies and Governance, IFPRI
- Rebecca Gong Sharp, CEO, IDInsight
- Arun Baral, CEO, HarvestPlus
- Pierre Kadet, Director of Climate-Resilient Food Systems, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada
Q&A with audience
12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch
13:15 – 14:30 | IFPRI Alumni Roundtable on Food Policy Research Opportunities and Challenges
Moderated by: Maximo Torero, Chief Economist, FAO
- Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, GAIN
- Eleni Gabre-Madhin, Executive-in-Residence, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
- Jikun Huang, Dean of School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University and Founding Director of China Center for Agricultural Policy
- Tsitsi Makombe, Director, External Relations, AKADEMIYA2063
- Susan Tonassi, Senior Vice President, Global, Burness
Q&A with audience
14:30 – 15:55 | Launch of the New IFPRI Strategy
Moderated by: David Spielman, Director, Innovation Policy and Scaling (IPS), IFPRI
Future Directions for Evidence that Supports Food Systems Transformation
- Overview of 2026 Strategy Framework: Purnima Menon, Senior Director, Food and Nutrition Policy; Acting Senior Director, Transformation Strategy
- Inclusive Growth and Transformation: James Thurlow, Director, Foresight & Policy Modeling (FPM), IFPRI
- Resilient and Sustainable Production: Claudia Ringler, Director, Natural Resources & Resilience (NRR), IFPRI
- Fair and Efficient Markets and Trade: Ruth Hill, Director, Markets, Trade, & Institutions, IFPRI
- Sustainable Healthy Diets and Nutrition: Deanna Olney, Director, Nutrition, Diets, & Health (NDH), IFPRI
- Empowerment and Equity: Dan Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender, & Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI
Priorities for Africa, Asia, and Latin America
- Steven Were Omamo, Director, Development Strategies and Governance (DSG); Director for Africa, IFPRI
- Shahidur Rashid, Director, South Asia, IFPRI
- Valeria Piñeiro, Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), IFPRI
Remarks: Christopher B. Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University and Co-Editor-in-Chief, Food Policy
Q&A with audience
15:55 – 16:00 | Closing Session
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI