The United Nations University, in collaboration with the China Foundation for International Studies and the Public Advice International Foundation, recently co-organized the “International Forum on Food Safety and Ecological Safety: New Regulations, New Technologies, New Opportunities” in Beijing, China.   This forum, held on 21 and 22 June, was sponsored by the International Eco-Safety Cooperative Organization (IESCO). It was attended by representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China, inter-governmental organizations in China, and civil society and non-governmental organizations as well as leading Chinese and international scholars and food industry executives.

UNU Rector Konrad Osterwalder (left) and Jiang Mingjun, Chair of IESCO, at the conference reception. Photo courtesy of conference.

In his keynote address at the forum, UNU Rector Konrad Osterwalder advocated a holistic and integrated global regulatory framework and measures for food safety, food security and ecological safety, bearing in mind the disparities between nations. “Local, national and global implementation of these measures must guarantee sustainability, social responsibility and transparency throughout the rapidly integrating global food chain,” he said.

Also attending the forum from the UNU were Dr. Vesselin Popovski and Dr. Obijiofor Aginam of the Tokyo-based UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace. The UNU will publish a policy brief based on the presentations made at the forum as a way to inform the national and international policy communities on emerging trends in food safety, food security and ecological safety.