Introduction

The World Agrifood Innovation (WAFI) Conference is a world-class forum which promotes international dialogue and exchange in agrifood science and technological innovation. The inaugural WAFI Conference will be held in Pinggu District, Beijing, China, from November 2nd to 4th, 2023, under the theme "Food Security & Future Agrifood."

The conference is hosted by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (planned), and the Ministry of Education (planned), and is organized by China Agricultural University, the People's Government of Pinggu District, Beijing, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, CGIAR, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

To harness global wisdom, gather exceptional talent from around the world, and foster open international scientific and technological exchanges, we cordially invite international scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and university student representatives who engage with and specialize in agrifood science and technology to join this year's conference. Our aim is to create a platform for stimulating discussions on cutting-edge topics, sharing the latest achievements, facilitating collaborative industry-university partnerships in research and its practical applications, and cultivating new drivers of global agrifood innovation.

The conference will consist of one main forum, four thematic forums, one World Agrifood Science & Tech Expo, as well as multiple sub-forums and parallel forums. The WAFI Conference will host four thematic forums, including the WAFI University Presidents Forum, the WAFI Agrifood Investment and Venture Capital Forum, the WAFI Entrepreneurs Forum, and the International Forum for Agrifood Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation. Concurrently, the conference will host the World Agrifood Science & Tech Expo, showcasing cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements that contribute to global agrifood development. Furthermore, in collaboration with domestic and foreign agricultural universities, research institutions, renowned enterprises, chambers of commerce, and associations, multiple sub-forums and parallel forums will be conducted in areas such as Smart Agrifood, Advanced Bio Breeding, Green and Sustainable Development in Agrifood, Future Food and Nutritional Health, Agrifood Investment and Venture Capital, Facility Agriculture, and Modern Livestock Farming.