APRU Food Security and Agritech Conference 2026

About the Conference

Towards Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Futures

The goal of this conference is to create an open and collaborative space for exploratory conversations on the future of agritech and food systems across the Asia–Pacific regions. Bringing together universities, policymakers, industry leaders, development organizations, and agricultural practitioners, the conference aims to generate new insights, ideas, and explore the development of scale-appropriate and responsible agritech innovations  that can contribute to more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems. A central focus will be to explore how principles of food and technology sovereignty can be integrated into agritech research and innovation, ensuring that technological advancements strengthen local capacity, respect diverse regional contexts, and support equitable food futures across the Pacific Rim.

Conference Objectives: 

The conference seeks to critically assess the extent to which agritech innovations can address structural food security challenges,  including affordability, accessibility, sustainability, and the inclusion of smallholder farmers, particularly in vulnerable and resource-constrained regions in across the Asia-Pacific. It will provide a forum for dialogue and knowledge exchange on the role of emerging and disruptive technologies in food systems, examining both the opportunities and limitations of agritech while exploring unresolved challenges across diverse agricultural contexts.  The conference will also consider how agritech research and innovation can be guided by principles of food and technology sovereignty.

Discussions will focus on key themes including:

1. Innovative approaches to disease and pest control;
2. Climate-resilient and climate-smart agricultural practices;
3. AI-enabled resource efficiency through digital and data-driven tools; and 
4. Strategies to improve food availability and access. 

Through cross-sector engagement among universities, policymakers, industry leaders, development organizations, and farming communities, the conference aims to identify collaborative pathways for the responsible development and deployment of agritech solutions, while generating actionable insights and recommendations to inform research agendas, governance frameworks, and practical interventions that support resilient food systems across Pacific Rim regions.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, APRU (the Association of Pacific Rim Universities) brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on practical solutions to the challenges of the 21st century. The network leverages its members’ collective education and research capabilities into the international public policy process. In the post-pandemic era, APRU's strategic priorities focus on:

• providing a neutral platform for high-level policy dialogue;
• exploring innovative solutions for a sustainable future; and
• supporting diversity, inclusion, and minorities.

APRU’s primary activities support these strategic priorities, focusing on critical areas such as disaster risk reduction, women in leadership, indigenous knowledge, virtual student exchange, e-sports, population aging, global health, sustainable cities, artificial intelligence, waste management, and more.

APRU Food Security & Agritech Program (FAP)

APRU's Food Security & Agritech Program (FAP) tackles critical challenges of climate change and food security in the Pacific Rim. The program's goal is to create a research and innovation hub that addresses local agricultural needs through fostering a strong network of interdisciplinary experts and practitioners across the Asia-Pacific region. The focus is on developing collaborative initiatives and promoting knowledge sharing to drive sustainable agriculture advancements. FAP seeks to achieve this by prioritizing innovative agritech solutions, leveraging advanced technologies such as alternative proteins, AI, IoT sensors, and robotics. In parallel, FAP aims to offer impactful initiatives designed to empower underrepresented communities, nurturing a new generation of leaders for sustainable development.

Simon Fraser University (Host Institution) 

As Canada’s engaged university, Simon Fraser University works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,600 students. The university now boasts more than 180,000 alumni residing in 145 countries.