VFRC Publications | Page 35

Policy Dialogue and Donor Relations Country Event Relation Brazil 16th World Fertilizer Congress of International Scientific Center of Fertilizers (CIEC) Present VFRC work, network and seek opportunities for collaboration and funding. China Fertilizer summit of eight Ministries Present options to reduce fertilizer use without yield decline and role for innovations in fertilizers. England United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Food Security & Biodiversity Panel Dialogue about innovative fertilizers for food security and ecosystem functioning at 14th Annual BIOECON Conference Resource, with contribution to UNEP policy brief. World Agri-Tech Investment Summit Presentation about the need for innovative fertilizers. Ethiopia Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer 2015 Conference Present VFRC concept and research progress about the geospatial analyses of yield responses to micronutrients to industry and policy. Italy Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO): Global Alliance on Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) Review of work plan for GACSA and identification of linkages with VFRC and IFDC. Urea Deep Placement technology introduced as case example to the alliance. Option being explored to draft a “practice note” about the role of fertilizers in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO): Save and Grow Expert Consultation Reviewing FAO publication Save and Grow: a policy maker’s guide to the sustainable intensification of small holder crop production of maize, rice and wheat. The role of “Innovative fertilizers” has been introduced in this book. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): Observer to the Governing Council Attendance on invitation and discussions for grant opportunities on micronutrients. Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation On-going dialogue with individual DGIS staff about innovative fertilizers and presentation in large team about a Micronutrient Initiative. Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment Identification of support for the development of a global platform for micronutrients Agri-Profocus Speaker at the expert meeting and exploration of support to development of network through this development NGO. International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA): Technical Conference Dialogue about need for paradigm shift in fertilizers with participants of Fertilizer Industry. Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) Identification of project opportunities with this largest NGO in Norway in agricultural development and concept proposals development with IFDC-Ethiopia. Norwegian Development Fund (NDF) and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Identification of funding opportunities from Norwegian Development Cooperation Netherlands Norway South Africa Switzerland 3rd Global Conference on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security and Climate Change, Johannesburg. Syngenta Foundation USA Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) Contribution to NUE and Performance Indicators Task Team of GPNM. VFRC Dialogue Meeting Introduction VFRC work to stakeholders from universities, ministries and NGO’s in Washington DC and USA. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Event on Coastal Zone Pollution Dialogue on pollution in Chesapeake Bay with input about innovative fertilizers. EPA-USDA-USGS Nitrogen Meeting Participation in development of research agenda and management partnership U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, & USDA to promote sustainable management of reactive nitrogen (Nr) & co-pollutants (phosphorus, sulfur). Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Presented VFRC work and explore collaboration and partnership about the role of fertilizers on human health. Harvest Plus Presented VFRC work and explore collaboration and partnership of role of fertilizers on improved varieties. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Present IFDC-VFRC work and opportunities creation for funding. World Bank Contact with World Bank staff to introduce VFRC concept and need for innovative fertilizers. Present importance of fertilizers for Climate Smart Agriculture. Become a member of the CSA alliance and develop a network for VFRC to push the fertilizer agenda. Brainstorming and identifying opportunities between Syngenta Foundation and VFRC in both R&D and commercialization. 31