Sight and Life Magazine 1/2011
Sight and Life Magazine 1/2011
Sight and Life Magazine 1/2011
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64 THE FIRST GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON BIOFORTIFICATIONReport from theFirst Global Conferenceon BiofortificationHannah GuedenetHarvestPlus, Washington, USAThe First Global Conference on Biofortification was the first in aseries of potentially three biofortification-focused conferencesover the next few years. HarvestPlus convened the conference tobring together the many organizations <strong>and</strong> individuals conductingbiofortification research over the past decade.The conference took place in Washington, DC on November9–11, 2010, attended by 300 scientists, researchers,practitioners, decision-makers, <strong>and</strong> students. Its mainobjectives were to:> determine the current state of biofortification, takingstock of research, global investment, <strong>and</strong> experience in biofortification;> raise the visibility of biofortification as a promising agriculturalintervention for public health; <strong>and</strong>> chart the future for biofortification, identifying synergies<strong>and</strong> gaps in knowledge <strong>and</strong> how to forge partnerships <strong>and</strong>collaborations.“Biofortification, <strong>and</strong> its potentialbenefits to those who aremalnourished, clearly should havea prominent place in our research,in our advocacy, <strong>and</strong> in our globaldevelopment goals”Spanning two <strong>and</strong> half days, it featured a keynote address <strong>and</strong>panel discussion each morning <strong>and</strong> technical symposia in theafternoons. The gala dinner, on the first evening, included biofortifiedmaize on the menu <strong>and</strong> a keynote address by DavidNabarro, Special Representative on Food Security <strong>and</strong> Nutritionto United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The dinneralso featured a letter from Senator George McGovern of the US, astrong supporter of hunger <strong>and</strong> nutrition issues for the past fourdecades, who has shown interest in biofortification. He wrote,“Biofortification, <strong>and</strong> its potential benefits to those who are malnourished,clearly should have a prominent place in our research,in our advocacy, <strong>and</strong> in our global development goals.”Summary of keynote speakersThe conference opened with a keynote address by AmbassadorWilliam Garvelink, US Government Deputy Coordinator for Developmentat the Feed the Future Initiative, who focused hisCredit: Neil Palmer (CIAT)Ambassador William J Garvelink, US Government DeputyCoordinator for Development, Feed the Future: Global Hunger<strong>and</strong> Food Security Initiative, opens the First Global Conferenceon Biofortification, Washington DC, USA
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