Over the last 50 years, the world’s food systems have evolved tremendously amid major economic, environmental, and social changes. Throughout this period, policy research has played a critical role in providing evidence and analysis to inform decision-making that supports agricultural growth, better livelihoods, and improved food security, nutrition, and well-being for all.

Please join us for the launch of IFPRI’s 2025 Global Food Policy Report—a special edition marking the Institute’s 50^th anniversary. This year’s flagship report examines the evolution and impact of food policy research and assesses how it can better equip policymakers to meet future challenges and opportunities.

Despite meaningful progress over the last half-century, conflict, climate change, rising inequality, and geopolitical tensions remain major challenges to reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. As we approach 2050, policy research and analysis will be essential to help build sustainable healthy food systems in this changing world.

Thematic presentations from IFPRI’s leading researchers will explore the role of evidence in shaping policies over the past 50 years, as well as the potential for research to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

A keynote lecture by Michael Kremer, Chair of the Innovation Commission and joint winner of the 2019 Economics Nobel Prize, will address innovations for the future. Following these remarks, a distinguished panel of experts will discuss priorities for policy research in the decades to come.

Since its founding in 1975, IFPRI has reached millions of people through its mission to provide research-based policy solutions to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods, contribute to empowerment for all, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient food systems. This event is the first in a series of engagements that celebrate IFPRI’s 50-year milestone and showcase the importance of food policy research in shaping policies and action for a better world.

Moderator and Welcome Remarks

• Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI

Opening Remarks and Unveiling of IFPRI’s flagship Global Food Policy Report

• Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
• Christopher B. Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University (video message)

Thematic GFPR presentations

• Agrifood System Transformation, Structural Change and Development: James Thurlow, Director, Foresight and Policy Modeling (FPM) Unit, IFPRI
• Agrifood Trade: Changing Perspectives and Challenges: Ruth Hill, Director of Markets, Trade and Institutions (MTI) Unit, IFPRI
• From global to regional and national: How policy research can shape the future of nations: Steven Were Omamo, Director, Development Strategies and Governance (DSG) Unit and Director for Africa, IFPRI
• From evidence to action: Informing policy to tackle poverty and gender inequities: Shalini Roy, Senior Research Fellow, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) Unit, IFPRI and Agnes Quisumbing, Senior Research Fellow, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) Unit, IFPRI
• Innovations and policies to tackle the global malnutrition challenge: Stuart Gillespie, Nonresident Senior Fellow, IFPRI
• Enabling environments for scaling innovations in agriculture, food systems and nutrition: David Spielman, Director, Innovation Policy and Scaling (IPS) Unit, IFPRI

Keynote Address and Strategy Discussion: A Focus on Innovations for the Future

• Michael Kremer, Professor in Economics; Director of Development Innovation Lab; and Faculty Director, Development Economics Center, University of Chicago; and 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences

Forward Looking Panel Discussion on Food Policy Research Priorities

Moderator: Purnima Menon, Senior Director, Food and Nutrition Policy; Acting Senior Director, Transformation Strategy, IFPRI

• Alice Ruhweza, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
• Ramesh Chand, Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)
• Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor and Dea of Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, China Agricultural University
• Joachim von Braun, President, Pontifical Academy of Sciences of the Vatican; and Distinguished Professor, Economics and Technical Change, Center for Development Research (ZEF) University of Bonn, Germany