Beau is the Natural Resource Officer – Climate Change and Climate Finance – for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Over the past 19 years Beau has worked as a natural resource management specialist focused on promoting equitable, climate resilient and low emissions development.

Noorullah is an Investment Specialist at PSOD’s Agri Investment Team covering the Pacific region. His current responsibilities include identifying private sector opportunities to invest in. Noorullah covers both debt and equity investments. Prior to joining ADB in 2019, he worked with Acumen Fund, an impact investment fund, and was the Global Head for Agriculture for the fund, responsible for investing in agribusiness in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

Carine has been with ADB for about 2 years, and is responsible for private sector investments in the food and agribusiness sector in Indonesia and the Pacific region. Prior to ADB, she worked at IFC, covering Western and Central Africa. Carine spent about 8 years in investment banking in London and New York, working for Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan in structured finance. Carine holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Strategy from Sciences Po Paris (France).

Mr. Ueda has 22 years of professional experience, including 16 years with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He joined ADB in 2008 as a Natural Resources Economist in the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division, East Asia Department and progressed to Senior Natural Resources Economist. In 2017, he was appointed as Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist in the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division, Southeast Asia Department.

Agricultural Engineering (with specialization en Agriculture Economy). All his working life involved in the Food Wholesale markets. More than 34 years working in Mercasa, Spanish public entity who owns 23 wholesale markets in Spain, as head of the Studies department, and 5 years as CEO in MERCAMADRID Wholesale Market. Presently is acting as Farmer and Agriculture /Food wholesale markets consultant.

Jessica Fanzo is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Global Food Policy and Ethics at the Johns Hopkins University, USA. She holds appointments in the Berman Institute of Bioethics, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She also serves as the Director of Hopkins’ Global Food Policy and Ethics Program, and as Director of Food & Nutrition Security at Hopkins’ Alliance for a Healthier World.

Tin Htut graduated from Yezin Agricultural University in 1980. He obtained his Master of Science in Plant Breeding from University of North Carolina, United State of America in 1991. As an IRRI PhD scholar, he studied plant breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños from 1996 to 2000. In 2003, he was invited as a research fellow in the IRRI to assist in the genetic analysis of iron-dense grains. Htut was recognized in 2010 as one of IRRI’s outstanding alumni in the field of rice research management.

Erkinbek Choduev is the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Melioration, Ministry of Agriculture, Kyrgyzstan. Prior to this, he was the Director of OsOO Ak-Teks from 2011 to 2014, and worked in different capacities in OsOO Limateks Cotton Corporation from 1999 to 2011. He was member at the Chairman of Local Parliament from 1995 to 2000, and member of the Province Parliament from 2000 to 2005. Choduev attended the Frunze Politechnical Institute (known as Kyrgyz State Technical University).

Uttam Kumar Bhattarai is the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Nepal. He has attended various training programs on food safety and quality, food and nutrition security, food processing, management and public administration-related subjects. Bhattarai holds a Master of Technology (FTBE) degree from the Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India, major in Food Technology, and Master in Public Administration from Tribhuvan University in Nepal, wherein he also obtained his Bachelor of Technology in Food Technology.

Wahyu Darajati serves as Primary Planner, supporting the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Maritime, particularly for the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). She joined the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) in 1986 and took on the roles of Director for Forestry and Water Resources Conservation (2016-2018); Director for Environment (2011-2016); Director for Food and Agriculture (2008-2011); Director for Marine and Fisheries (2002-2008); and Director for Natural Resources and Marine (2001-2002).