Media advisory | 2 May 2024

Innovation for Sustainability: Global leaders harness the power of innovation

Media contact
Caroline Chaumont

Communication and Media Outreach Officer

[email protected]
Tiziana Barrucci [email protected]

Third European Innovation for Sustainability Summit

WHEN: 10-11 May, 2024

WHAT: Global leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society will gather in Rome to discuss innovation for sustainability and explore innovative processes, products, approaches, and co-financing solutions towards sustainability. The Summit organized and hosted by the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability (EIIS), in partnership with the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and with the institutional support of the European Parliament, will feature presentations, roundtables, and workshops that focus on the Climate, Health, and Nutrition Nexus.

During the summit, IFAD leaders and experts will highlight how innovation in food, agriculture, climate adaptation and finance can help maximize rural development effectiveness, and lead to improved incomes for millions of small-scale farmers who produce one-third of the world’s food, contribute to national and global value chains, and are crucial to global food security.

An exhibition area will showcase unique and innovative examples of companies and organizations working towards sustainability.

WHERE: The European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability headquarters in Rome, Palazzo Orsini Taverna, 00186

WHO: Check out the agenda for 10 and 11 May

Speakers include:

  • Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Andrea Geremicca, Director General, European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability (EIIS)
  • H.E. Orazio Schillaci, Minister of Health, Italy
  • Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice President European Investment Bank (EIB)
  • Jeffrey Sachs, Professor, Columbia University
  • Alan Cappelli Goetz, Actor & Climate Pact Ambassador for the European Commission
  • Flaminia Catteruccia - Director of the PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Interviews available upon request

HOW: Media can request accreditation to attend in person. Deadline is 10:00 (CET) Monday 6 May 2024.

More on IFAD using innovation to support rural communities.


IFAD Media Advisory n. 03-2024

IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency. Based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub – IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided more than US$24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries.

A wide range of photographs of IFAD’s work in rural communities are available for download from its Image Bank.

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