September 19, 2022, Brussels. Under the theme “Dairy for Nutrition and Livelihood”, the IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 ended last week after four days of conferences, panel discussions, side events, posters session, networking, cultural activities, and technical and social tours.

During four entire days, over 1,500 national and international dairy leaders, experts, farmers, processors and producers attended 24 sessions grouped into various thematic verticals, such as Global dairy situation and trends, Dairy Science and Farming techniques and innovations, Socioeconomic and Livelihood, Nutrition and Health, as well as Sustainability and Climate Action discussions, provided by speakers and specialists from all over the world. In addition to the in-person public, global audiences could participate in the sessions online. The Opening Ceremony, which took place on Monday September 12, was honoured by the participation Prime Minister Narendra Modi and over 3,200 guests in person.

The programme included various panels integrated by prestigious speakers, many of whom are distinguished members of key stakeholder organisations, such as FAO, Codex, WHOA, OECD, UNEP, World Bank, Global Children Nutrition Foundation.

Among the 120 speakers and panelists that participated in the session, it is worth mentioning the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying  of India, Shri Parshottam Rupala, the Minister of Home Affairs & Cooperation of India, Shri Amit Shah, the Minister of Food Safety and Associate Agriculture of New Zealand, Ms. Meka Whaitiri, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski (virtual participation), the Acting Under Secretary for Farm & Foreign Agricultural Services – USDA, Mr Jason Hafemeister (virtual participation), Mr. Mayank Trivedi,  Senior Vice-President & Head of Strategic Business Unit Dairy at Nestle, Mr. R G Sodhi, IDF Board and Managing Director Amul, India, and numerous journalists from India and other major international media.

“IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 was the occasion for the global dairy sector actors and stakeholders to meet and discuss in person the world dairy agenda, share knowledge and innovations, identify patterns and trends for the future and generate networking and business opportunities”, said Ms. Caroline Emond, IDF Director General. “It was also an opportunity to get to know learn about the Indian Dairy sector and learn from its experience”, she stated.

In this respect, Mr. Piercristiano Brazzale, added that he was “particularly impressed by the sophistication and technology that Indian dairy value chain has incorporated”.  “This is reflected upon the breath-taking metrics that Indian Dairy shows today and its projected future growth which will surely consolidate it as the largest on a global scale”, he explained.

Some of the most relevant figures of IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 are:

• 925 Farmers
• 776 Delegates
• 114 national and international exhibitors (6,900 sq. meters space showcasing latest technologies and innovations in the dairy sector)
• 6900 trade visitors to exhibition area
• 169 artists and artisans
• 30 sponsors, including AMUL, Nandini and Mother Dairy

Also, during the event, IDF released significant publications such as the IDF World Dairy Situation Report 2022, the IDF Annual Report 2021-2022, and two Bulletins on The IDF global Carbon Footprint standard for the dairy sector and the C-Sequ LCA guidelines for calculating carbon sequestration in cattle production systems. It granted special awards such as the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards, the IDF Award, the IDF Prize of Excellence, the IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize, the Standing Committee Leader Recognition and Yves Boutonnat International Milk Promotion (see the Recognition section on IDF corporate website).

IDF WDS 2022 also received the support of local authorities with the participation of 10 Ministers, including the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath during the opening ceremony.

“We are very grateful for this support as well as for the extraordinary work of the Organising Committee, led by the National Dairy Development Board Chair, Shri Meenesh Shah”, expressed Ms. Caroline Emond. “We also wish to thank all the leaders, experts and delegates that attended the Summit both in person and virtually, as well as all the speakers, panellists and IDF National Committees and Standing Committees members, without whom this summit would not have been possible.”

Mr. Piercristiano Brazzale, also expressed his gratitude towards the hosts and IDF team. “See you in Chicago on October 16-19 for the IDF WDS 2023, an opportunity to meet again, learn and showcase the world the dynamism of the global dairy sector and the contribution of dairy to healthy and sustainable diets”, he concluded.