The third edition of the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADCFA), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Feb. 16-18, 2016. The exhibition and conference at GFIA forum is aimed at harnessing global efforts to provide enough safe, nutritious food to an expanding population, and will feature more than 300 next-generation agricultural solutions that could shape the future of sustainable farming around the world. For the second year running, ADFCA has set out to assemble some of the world's best scientific minds for a unique Hosted Scientist Program at GFIA, at a time when official statistics put the number of hungry people in the world at around 795 million, two thirds of them living in Asia. The program supported by ADFCA is designed as a scientific platform for discussion, sharing of new ideas and development of initiatives aimed at feeding the world as population growth continues against a backdrop of dwindling resources and climate change. "We're seeking applications from scientists from around the world and from across the entire spectrum of agricultural research. Our priority is to attract those currently involved in ground-breaking research, as the principle aim here is to drive efforts to counter global hunger through pioneering developments in sustainable agriculture" said Ali Yousef Al Saad, Acting Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA. Scientists can apply online via the official GFIA website before 15 January. Successful applicants can expect to receive notification before the end of the month. Scientists hosted by ADFCA will take part in a highly interactive Hosted Scientist Program which begins with a workshop on Feb. 16. Under the spotlight will be a wide range of research themes including agribusiness, animal production, crop protection, nutrition, renewable energy, saltwater agriculture, soil health, urban agriculture and water technology. In its third year, GFIA will run alongside VIV MEA, a new version of livestock production events held in Europe and Asia helping to bring about a rethinking on global food security. Together, GFIA and the accompanying VIV MEA are expected to host more than 500 exhibitors of innovative technology, making Abu Dhabi home to the largest agricultural event in the region. The organizers also expect to build upon last year's 4,550 visitors from 85 countries. "This is now the world's most influential event for sustainable agriculture," said Mark Beaumont, Project Director of the combined GFIA exhibition and conference. "It is establishing Abu Dhabi as an international center of science excellence in sustainable agriculture, giving local students and researchers the opportunity to collaborate with the international scientific community." The World Food Program, the food aid arm of the United Nations, estimates that 795 million people in the world – about one in nine – do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life. It said the vast majority of the world's hungry people live in developing countries, where 12.9% of the population is undernourished. Poor nutrition causes 45% of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children each year. — SG
