Discovering Challenges on Water Resources and Global Agrifood Systems with Goodwill Ambassador Hiroko Kuniya

Water is the lifeblood of the earth and is central to the entire SDGs. Agriculture also accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals and is the world’s largest water user. As the global population grows, global demand of water is also projected to increase to feed the population.

However, we are facing a global water crisis. Worldwide, countries are experiencing water scarcity, droughts and or floods, aggravated by climate change, while at the same time water quality is deteriorating.

“Water resources management for the four betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals” has been selected as the biennial theme for 2024-2025 during the FAO Conference held beginning of July 2023, highlighting the crucial importance of water to achieve the SDGs.

Together with journalist Ms Hiroko Kuniya, FAO National Goodwill Ambassador for Japan, along with experts, this online seminar will explore the challenges of limited water resources and global agrifood systems.

The keynote presentation by FAO will share the organization’s latest global data and knowledge and will introduce the current state of global water issues, the impact on agrifood systems and solutions which FAO promotes. During the panel discussion, experts will exchange opinions and discuss the current situation of water shortages, why climate change is related to water shortages and the impact on Japan, a food import dependent country.

Date: 28 May 2024 (Tuesday)

Time: 16:00～17:20

Venue: Online (Zoom)

Language: English / Japanese (simultaneous interpretation)

Organizer: FAO Liaison Office in Japan

Registration: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZJgPaO-SRGCCHgMCTodpWQ

<Programme>

16:00 Opening Speech

Eriko Hibi, Director, Liaison Office in Japan, FAO

16:05 Keynote Presentation “Water for Food Security”

Jippe Hoogeveen, Technical Officer, FAO Land and Water Division, FAO

16:25 Panel Discussion

Moderator:

• Hiroko Kuniya, FAO National Goodwill Ambassador for Japan

Panelists:

• Hiroaki Tokifuji, Manager, Planning Group, Purchasing Department, Production & Purchasing Division, Kagome Co., Ltd.
• Yukiko Hirabayashi, Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
• Akihiko Hirasawa, Research Counselor, Norinchukin Research Institute Co.,Ltd.

17:05 Q&A

17:15 Closing Speech

Eriko Hibi, Director, Liaison Office in Japan, FAO

How to register

Registration: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZJgPaO-SRGCCHgMCTodpWQ