Agriculture leaders meet at WAF Asia Roundtable

18-03-2009 | Home | News

Novus International, a global leader in animal health and nutrition participated as a primary sponsor of the first World Agricultural Forum (WAF), Asia Roundtable, March 8-10, 2009 in Phuket, Thailand.

“At Novus our corporate mission is to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food,” explained Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus International. “Our mission aligns with the WAF’s goals. Novus has a thriving business in Asia, we are proud to support the valuable work of the World Agricultural Forum and to play a key role in this historic, regional event.”

The over-arching theme of the Roundtable was “Balancing the Agricultural Bottom Line”. The event agenda focused on agriculture in the context of current global economic conditions and the regional impact to Asia.

Countries represented by Roundtable Participants included: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, France, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, the Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

Over 40 organisations were represented on the Roundtable and included Government Department Ministers, CEO’s, NGO’s, and Academia. The Rt. Honorable Jim Bolger, ONZ, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand served as Chairman the event.

Speakers and topics for the WAF Asia Roundtable included:

• Opening Plenary
Rt. Hon. James B. Bolger, ONZ, Former Prime Minister, New Zealand; Chairman, World Agricultural Forum

• Advancing Solutions for Meeting Demand
Dr. Harvey Glick, Scientific Affairs Director for Asia-Pacific, China and India, Monsanto

• World Economy in 2009 and the Impact on Agriculture
Mr. Jan Lambregts, Head of Global Financial Markets Research Asia, Rabobank

• Sustainable Practices for Agricultural Growth
Mr. Hans Joehr, Head of Corporate Agriculture, Nestle

• Integration or Dis-Integration: What is the Way Forward?
Dr. Ajva Taulananda, Vice Chairman,Charoen Pokphand Group

• Global Strategic Sourcing–Impact to Agricultural Sector
Richard B. Landis, Vice President Strategic Global Purchasing, Keystone Foods

• Risk Management in New Circumstances
Xu Tao, CEO, Liuhe Group

• Food Safety Certification: Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem
Peter Bracher, Managing Director, NSF-CMi

• The Case for Strategic Alliances in the Food Chain
Mr. Vipul Prakash, Senior Manager, IFC Agribusiness Department

• Closing Plenary
Mr. Thad Simons, President and CEO, Novus International Inc.

As a follow up to the Asia Roundtable, the WAF will publish an Insights document which will highlight key points of discussion on each speaking topic. The Insights will be presented at the upcoming World Agricultural Forum, World Congress in St. Louis Missouri May 18th – 20th.