IFOAM Asia’s “2023 2nd World Organic Youth Summit” Debuts in Hualien, Taiwan! Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei Welcomes Global Experts from 26 Countries

(中央社訊息服務20230915 15:22:50)The pivotal global event in organic agriculture, the 2023 2nd World Organic Youth Summit, is set to take place on September 13-14 in Hualien, Taiwan. Organized by IFOAM Asia (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement ASIA) in collaboration with the Hualien County Government, the summit will feature expert-led forums and guided tours of organic farms. Invited participants include thought leaders in organic agriculture, government dignitaries, and emerging young farmers, who will engage in comprehensive discussions about the future of organic agriculture, market prospects, and pathways to sustainability.

Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei of Hualien County extended a warm welcome to attendees from 26 countries and organic enthusiasts across Taiwan. She expressed her sincere gratitude to IFOAM Asia for choosing Hualien as the strategic location for hosting the 2nd World Organic Youth Summit. Hualien is renowned as Taiwan's most extensive organic farming region and has made strides in advancing the organic agriculture sector. In 2019, the county established an Organic Agriculture Promotion Office and launched a variety of subsidy and outreach programs. This year, it took the initiative to implement legislation promoting organic agriculture zones, covering 11 areas identified for their potential. The county government is also encouraging schools to incorporate organic ingredients into balanced meal plans, further bolstering support for organic farming.

As of August 2023, Hualien stands as Taiwan's largest certified organic farming area, boasting 691 organic-producing households and covering 3,189 hectares — making it the only Taiwanese county to exceed 3,000 hectares. On August 16, 2023, the Hualien County Government set a precedent by formally announcing the establishment of Organic Agriculture Promotion Zones, thereby becoming the first county to legislate such zones. Through targeted public policies, Hualien aspires to foster organic farming clusters and collaborative communities, thereby facilitating partnerships between industry stakeholders, governmental bodies, academic institutions, and civil society in the ongoing promotion of organic agriculture.

IFOAM Asia President Mathew John conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei and the Hualien County Government for their substantial support. “Being in Hualien—a place of outstanding beauty — is always invigorating,” John noted. He commended the pioneering efforts that have shaped modern organic agriculture and extended special thanks to Taiwan's Dr. Chen Shih-Hsiung and former IFOAM President Dr. Andre Leu. John also spotlighted the four cornerstone principles of organic agriculture, including interconnected environmental, ethical, and moral tenets. He urged collective adherence to these guiding principles as practical steps toward addressing current societal challenges and achieving sustainability goals.

Centering on the theme "Opportunities for Youth in the Organic Industry," the summit's morning session featured a keynote address by Konrad Hauptfleisch, CEO of Starfish Organic. Hauptfleisch discussed the positive values of organic agriculture and explored the roles and responsibilities of young farmers in the industry. The first special presentation was led by Taiwan's Organic Agriculture Ambassador Huang Chang-Ju, Division Chief Tung Chen from the Ministry of Agriculture, and Deputy Director-General Chen I-Jen of the Farmers’ Service Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. They guided participants in a deep dive into the history and policies of Taiwan's organic agriculture. Elizabeth de Leon from the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Philippines and Vladyslav Zhmailo from IFOAM discussed the relationship between youth and public policies.

The second session featured Professor Chen Shih-Hsiung from Nanhua University sharing his own experiences in organic farming, followed by former IFOAM President Andre Leu, who debunked common myths about “safe pesticides.” The third session saw Professor Lur Huu-Sheng from the National Taiwan University discussing the trends in smart/digital applications in organic agriculture. David F Gould from the IFOAM Seeds Platform and Sompong Woragool from the Towards Organic Asia Alliance explained the importance of organic seeds. The fourth session was led by IFOAM Asia President Mathew John, focusing on organic beekeeping. He shared insights into India’s natural farming systems, knowledge of organic beekeeping, its environmental impacts, and opportunities in organic development. The summit was enriched by multiple enlightening speeches, leaving the attendees deeply inspired.

In addition, Rommel Arnado, the Mayor of Kauswagan, Philippines, and President of ALGOA (Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture), along with Salvatore Basile, Co-chairperson of the Global Alliance of Organic Districts in Italy, also extended their congratulations on the event’s success through video messages. Both the central and local governments in Taiwan attached great importance to this event. Numerous officials and scholars enthusiastically attended, including Hsu Hui-Fei, the Director of the Eastern Region Branch of Agriculture and Food Agency, Ministry of Agriculture; Yang Da-Ji, Deputy Director of Hualien District Agricultural Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture; Chen I-Jen, Deputy Director-General of the Farmers’ Services Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Professor Lur Huu-Sheng from National Taiwan University; and Professor Chen Shih-Hsiung from Nanhua University.

For more information about the 2023 World Organic Youth Summit, please visit the official website: https://www.2023woysinhualien.com/