The Water for Food Global Forum officially opened this week (Oct. 4), convening leading international experts, growers and organizations to tackle issues related to achieving global water and food security and focus on integrating knowledge and practice.

The forum, hosted by the Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, offers a month of both on-demand and live discussions, presentations, workshops and case studies. The forum will provide an opportunity for individuals with diverse areas of expertise and interest to learn about, collaborate and strategize solutions to pressing issues related to water and food, including those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. All sessions are free to open to the public after completing registration.

In the first week of the forum, which is Oct. 3-9, multidisciplinary experts are exploring the influence that water has on food systems and nutrition on both a global and local scale. This will include a moderated panel discussion on the impacts, innovations and outcomes to come out of the United Nations Food Systems Summit this September.

Live session

Water and Food Systems | 9 to 11 a.m., Oct. 7

Less than two weeks ago, the United Nations Food Systems Summit concluded in New York. The summit was the culmination of an effort to develop a vision for global food systems to be healthier, more equitable and more sustainable. An important expectation from the summit is to highlight solutions and innovations, and to engage producers, communities, civil society, governments and the private sector, who will drive and scale actions to achieve impact.

Bringing unique perspective on the interconnectedness between food systems and water, each panelist in this discussion will reflect on the relevant outcomes from the summit, particularly those related to water for food. They will consider the opportunities and challenges to ensure that decisions on agriculture and food systems also consider the consequences on water.

The discussion will be moderated by Peter McCornick, executive director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. Panelists are:

• Claudia Sadoff, managing director, Research Delivery and Impact, CGIAR; • Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, global lead for nutrition and public health, WorldFish; 2021 World Food Prize Laureate; • Mark Smith, director general, International Water Management Institute; • Harkamal Walia, DWFI faculty fellow; professor, Heuermann Chair of Agronomy, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; • Erin Fitzgerald, chief executive officer, U.S. Ranchers and Farmers in Action; • Anne Meis, board chair, U.S. Ranchers and Farmers in Action; board member, Nebraska Soybean Board; farmer in Elgin, Nebraska; • Roric Paulman, DWFI international advisory panel member; owner and producer, Paulman Farms; and • Melissa Ho, senior vice president, fresh water and food, World Wildlife Fund.

On demand sessions this week include a welcome and opening remarks by Mike Boehm, Harlan Vice Chancellor, UNL; and McCornick; as well as a panel discussion on “Integrating Nutrition in Irrigation Investments.”

Upcoming weekly themes for the conference are:

• Oct. 10-16 — Innovations and entrepreneurship in agriculture and water management
• Oct. 17-23 — Water and nutrient management
• Oct. 24-30 — Climate change and extreme events.

Access the full agenda for the conference.