The prestigious international forum took place from February 10 to 14 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. It brought together leading academics, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss critical global challenges in sustainability, food security, and risk management. It was also endorsed by international scientific associations in agricultural economics, agribusiness, engineering, and information research including European Association of Agricultural Economists, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, Associzzione Internazionale di Economia Alimentare e Agro-Industriale, International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and International Network for IT in Agriculture, Food and the Environment.
Among the distinguished speakers, Tatiana Ermolieva and Nadejda Komendantova from the Cooperation and Transformative Governance Group (CAT) of the of International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) delivered key insights into systemic risk modeling and resilient policy frameworks enabling nexus security in interdependent food-water-energy-environmental systems. They presented the research results from the PARATUS project in frames of the session titled Modeling and Managing Systemic Risk and the Food-Water-(Bio)Energy Security Nexus in Interdependent Land Use Systems. This research focuses on integrating risk governance models with real-world policymaking, aiming to mitigate vulnerabilities in food and water security, particularly in fragile environments. The presentation emphasizes the importance of participatory decision-making, where local communities, governments, and businesses collaborate to develop risk-resilient agricultural and environmental policies. It also highlights cutting-edge methodologies that imply artificial intelligence with socio-economic modeling, providing actionable insights for policymakers.
Their presentation contributed to the discussion on stochastic modeling and risk analysis, as well as on sustainable economic resilience and agricultural risk management. It also focused on the development of robust risk assessment frameworks that can withstand economic shocks and environmental uncertainties. Such approach involves integrating big data and stochastic programming to optimize resource allocation in the agricultural and food supply sectors. As global food systems face increasing pressure from climate change, market fluctuations, and geopolitical instability, such insights can be useful for stakeholders seeking sustainable adaptation strategies.
The presentation of Ermolieva and Komendantova underscores the urgency of addressing interdependent risks in agriculture, energy, and water management. Their research not only informs academic discourse but also influences tangible policy shifts, ensuring that decision-makers adopt resilient, science-backed strategies. The international forum aims to serve as a vital platform for translating these research findings into actionable solutions, with participants from various sectors engaging in dynamic discussions. The forum also boasts a diverse lineup of experts addressing key sustainability issues, including environmental labeling, digital transformation in agriculture, and novel food production technologies.
