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UBC experts talk global food security & climate solutions at the Canada-in-Asia Conferences in Singapore
UBC professors shared their expertise and joined international panels on food security and climate change solutions at the 2024 Canada-in-Asia Conferences in Singapore Feb. 26 to 29.
The two-part summit focused on agri-food and climate change. As the only university partner sponsoring both components, UBC sent five delegates to the conference. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Universities Canada established the annual conference in 2023 to boost Canada-Asia engagement on key issues.
More than 460 experts, policy-makers, researchers, business leaders, government representatives and innovators across disciplines from Canada and 35 cities in Asia gathered to connect with partners and form alliances. They exchanged knowledge to more closely collaborate on addressing challenges in food security and sustainability, and discussed pioneering climate technologies, research, policy and investment.
“Engaging with diverse perspectives on climate solutions at the conference underscored the urgency and complexity of addressing global environmental challenges,” said Dr. Rob Kozak, UBC Faculty of Forestry Dean and Professor. “What stood out to me amidst the various panels and discussions was the shared commitment to innovation and collaboration. At UBC Forestry, we recognize the critical role of nature-based solutions in climate mitigation and adaptation. Our participation in events like this is meaningful as we are at the forefront of pioneering these innovative approaches. Being part of these conversations amplifies our impact, fosters partnerships and reinforces our dedication to advancing sustainable practices on a global scale.”
In Singapore, UBC representatives met with regional partners, including National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University and the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Attending on behalf of UBC along with Dr. Kozak were: Dr. Rickey Yada, Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems; Dr. Jack Saddler, Professor Emeritus, Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry; Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh, Associate Professor of Food Nutrition and Health in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems; and Emily MacDougall, Director of Global Partnerships for the Office of Global Engagement.
As a leading Canadian academic resource on Asia, UBC has established strong connections and significant partnerships in the region. In view of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, launched in late 2022, UBC is actively expanding its engagement and pursuing new impactful collaborations, contributing to Canada’s connectivity with the region.
To that end, UBC has made concerted efforts to build new partnerships in Asia over the past year, including co-developing new programs for university administrative professionals in Vietnam, hosting a co-curricular research forum in partnership with VinUni and welcoming a number of visiting delegations on the Vancouver campus. Most recently, UBC staff and faculty met with regional partners in Perth, Australia at the 2024 Asia Pacific Association for International Education conference and exhibition March 4 to 8.
See more about the Canada-in-Asia Conferences on LinkedIn.
Read about UBC’s global partnership collaborations.
From left: Dr. Rob Kozak (Dean and Professor, Faculty of Forestry, UBC), Anna Stablum (Climeco, Singapore), Sonya Dewi (Director of Asia, CIFOR-ICRAF Indonesia) and Elim Sritaba (Chief Sustainability Officer, APP Group) at the Sustainable Forests and Forestry concurrent session at the Canada-in-Asia Conferences (photo: Emily MacDougall/UBC)