More than 100 leading thinkers are expected for talks across several high-level events to discuss the future of sustainable and resilient food systems.

Experts agree that food supplies are under attack from climate change and exacerbated by rising energy costs, geopolitical instability, acute labour shortages and the persistent threat of further global pandemics.

The talks provide the last opportunity for policy makers to meet before world leaders gather for COP27 in Egypt from November 6.

Hosted by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network, the event will be held alongside the TropAg Conference, a partnership between the University of Queensland and the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

With more than 1100 delegates registered, the conference comes at a time when Australia is looking to play a key role in collaborating with other food producing nations in tropical zones, particularly strengthening agri-food systems across southeast Asia and the Pacific

A Memorandum of Agreement is slated for signing on Tuesday between UQ and parties in the Asia Pacific that will assist more research and trial projects aimed at reducing poverty and stabilising nutrition security across the region.

The developments come as the Federal Government launches an inquiry into food security in December in the wake of the pandemic’s legacy and rolling natural disasters such as droughts, bushfires and floods that have constrained agricultural production.

The National Food Supply Chain Alliance, made up of nine national food industry associations representing 160,000 businesses, has welcomed the move and has hopes of bi-partisan support to develop a national food supply chain strategy.

Spokesman Richard Forbes said his organisation was looking for mechanisms that would protect the Australian consumer from ongoing global and domestic disruptions which would ultimately help stabilise food price fluctuations and provide consistent, dependable access to sufficient volumes of food for domestic consumption.

“From an industry perspective, improvements in supply chain management will boost business, enhance innovation and technology, create jobs, and increase broader economic development opportunities,” he said.

“There has never been a more critical time to examine Australia’s food system and then develop a long-term national food plan with future resilience in mind.”