FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference
Event description
Bruce Friedrich, GFI president and founder, will join global experts in Rome and online at the FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference, speaking on Monday, June 16 (14:00–15:30 CET) in the session “Biotechnological innovations and sustainability frontiers.” He’ll spotlight how innovations like gene editing, synthetic biology, and precision fermentation can help build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood system.
Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this international gathering convenes science, policy, and industry leaders to explore how biotechnology can unlock real-world solutions to global challenges—from food security and climate change to nutrition and equity.
The conference runs June 16–18, and this year, the full session, will be available online, opening more space for conversation and connecting with changemakers shaping the future of food.
Biotechnological and Food innovations – How plant and cell- based products will transform our agrifood systems?
Afternoon (14:00–15:30): Biotechnological innovations and sustainability frontiers
- Gene editing and synthetic biology for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems: Opportunities and Challenges
- Focus on small-scale producers, ethical implications, and policy frameworks.
- Exploring synthetic biology’s role in food processing, diet, nutrition and ecological sustainability
- The emerging opportunities in vaccines, diagnostics and precision fermentation.
Event location
GFI speaker
Bruce Friedrich
PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, GFI
Bruce Friedrich serves as GFI’s chief thought leader and relationship-builder, working in close partnership with GFI’s global teams and food system stakeholders around the world.
Bruce oversees GFI’s global strategy, working with and across all of GFI’s international teams (Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, India, Israel, and United States) to ensure that GFI is maximally effective at implementing programs that deliver mission-focused results. Bruce is a TED Fellow, Y Combinator alum, 2021 “American Food Hero” (EatingWell Magazine), and popular speaker on food innovation. He has penned op-eds for the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, CNN, Nature Food, Los Angeles Times, Wired, and many other publications. He has represented GFI on the TED Radio Hour, New Yorker Radio Hour, Ezra Klein Show, Making Sense (Sam Harris), ReCode Decode, and other programs and podcasts. Bruce’s 2019 TED talk has been viewed 2.4 million times and translated into 30 languages. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law and also holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Economics.
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