Plenaries – Accelerating Equality in Food, Land, and Water Systems Conference 2025
The International Conference 'Accelerating Equality in Food, Land and Water Systems: Driving solutions through evidence and learning' will run from 7-9 October 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. All the plenaries will be streamed Live on CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion channels and all CGIAR channels.
Follow the schedule and livestream as outlined below.
Opening Plenary – Accelerating Equality in Food, Land, and Water Systems: Driving Solutions through Evidence and Learning
This high-level opening session will set the stage for the 2025 Gender in Food, Land and Water Systems Conference. It will frame the urgency, opportunities, and collective responsibility in accelerating equality and social inclusion across food, land, and water systems.
Date: Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Time: 10:00-12:00 SAST
Speakers
Dhesigen Naidoo
CGIAR Integrated Partnership Board Member
Mikateko Maluleke
Advocate of the High Court of South Africa
Mwaka Namukonda
Continental Youth Agrifood Systems Ambassador
Livestream the plenary here
Plenary 2 – The International Year of the Woman Farmer: Setting the stage for 2026 through policy, investment, and innovation
This plenary will spotlight the critical role of women in food, land, and water systems, and build momentum toward the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026. It will explore what governments, private sector actors, development partners, and farmer leaders can do—through policy, investment, and innovation—to elevate women farmers as key drivers of resilient and inclusive food systems.
As we look ahead to 2026, this plenary is not just about celebrating women’s contributions but also about setting the stage for evidence-driven action. Policy, investment, and innovation will be critical, but they must be anchored in research that captures women farmers’ realities, challenges, and aspirations. Strong gender-responsive research helps us identify what works, avoid scaling ineffective solutions, and build the case for smarter investments. Panellists will also explore how we can ensure that research-for-development is at the heart of driving inclusive and equitable transformation across global food, land, and water systems.
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Time: 09:00-10:30 SAST
Speakers
Lauren M. Phillips
Deputy Director for the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Livestream the plenary here
Plenary 3-Generating and measuring impact on gender equality and social inclusion in agri-food systems
The session will explore what is required to generate high-quality impact evidence and how this evidence can effectively inform decisions by policymakers and donors.
Date: Thursday, 9 October 2025
Time: 09:00-10:30 SAST
Speakers
Inga Jacobs-Mata
Strategic Program Director – Water, Growth and Inclusion International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Lynn Scheider
Senior Program Officer for Women’s Empowerment in Agricultural Development Gates Foundation
Malik Abaddi
Evaluation Senior Lead-OCP Nutricrops; Policy Manager & Delivery Lead, UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa
Livestream the plenary here
Closing Plenary: Looking forward: Reflections and learnings for inspiring change
This closing plenary will look back to the 3 days of the International Conference 'Accelerating Equality in Food, Land and Water Systems' . The speakers will share learnings and reflections on: what stood out research, policy, NGO, government, investment, what we can do better, what and where the opportunities are and roadmap for the future.
Date: Thursday, 9 October 2025
Time: 15:30-17:00 SAST
Speakers
Lisa Hilgers
Advisor for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Fund for International Agricultural Research (FIA), GIZ
Aslihan Kes
Independent Consultant