It was with incredible pleasure (and some relief) that I was able to announce at National Fieldays this morning the hosting of the 2035 Oceania Summit in April 2022.

Good things take time and this Summit is a great example of that. Ever since we announced earlier in the year that Wharf42 would be co-hosting the AgriFoodTech Climate Summit at COP26 in Glasgow, plans have been underway to create the first global regional follow-up event.

In Australia, the Climate Targets Panel says that Australia should be aiming to reach net zero emissions as early as 2035. In New Zealand, the Climate Change Commission has submitted to government its recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Across wider Oceania, climate change has had, and will continue to have, profound ramifications for the people living in the region.

The Summit will feature regional and international keynote speakers, breakout panels with domain experts, an exhibition showcasing current research being undertaken across the region, a startup hub with a pitch event to global investors, as well as extensive networking opportunities.

We have been privileged to work with the International Business Events team at Tourism New Zealand and the fabulous folk at Auckland Unlimited to help make this happen. Today’s announcement is the culmination of many months work and builds on the significant and emerging research and development opportunities being created across the entire trans-Tasman and wider Oceania agrifood ecosystem.

Next month, Jacqui and I will be spending time across the ditch speaking to partners and friends in New South Wales, ACT & South Australia. Over the past two years, we have successfully established strong relationships with many agrifood organisations in Australia and we are looking forward at inviting them to actively engage and participate at the 2035 Oceania Summit.

By bringing together researchers, startups, investors, policy makers as well as farmers and growers, the 2035 Oceania Summit has been designed to showcase local solutions that will create global impact.

To learn more about the Summit and to register your interest in learning more, please visit the Summit website at www.2035.ag

We look forward to working with you to help our country and our region make a real difference.