IAIC 2025

8th-10th September 2025 | Uppsala・Stockholm

IAIC 2025 Sweden: Advancing Global Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Circular Economy

Uppsala & Stockholm, Sweden – September 11, 2025 – The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) has successfully concluded the International Agribusiness Innovation Conference (IAIC) 2025 in Sweden, held from 8–10 September 2025 under the theme “Carbon Capture & Circular Economy: Accelerating Sustainability through Entrepreneurship.”

The three-day program brought together policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors from Europe and Asia, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and partnership-building around sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and circular economy innovation.

Forum Highlights – Uppsala (8 September)

The IAIC 2025 Business Forum, hosted at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Ylva Hillbur (Pro Vice-Chancellor, SLU), Dr. Lee Chee Wee (Chairman, IAAS), and Mr. Ludvig Hermansson (Country Manager of Singapore & Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, Business Sweden).

Delivering the keynote, Mr. Andrew Kwan, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Sweden, underscored the urgency of climate action and the need for solutions that are both politically sound and commercially viable.

The forum featured three thematic sessions:

Policies & Science for a Circular & Low-Carbon Bioeconomy – presentations by Prof. Emma Holmström (SLU), Dr. Per Bodin (Swedish Board of Agriculture), Prof. Lena Gipperth (University of Gothenburg), Prof. Göran Bergkvist (SLU), and Prof. Björn Vinnerås (SLU). A fireside panel moderated by Sara Arvidson (SLU) brought together Bodin, Gipperth, and Dr. Erik Sindhöj (RISE Research Institutes of Sweden).
Circular Economy in Practice – contributions from Prof. Helena Hansson (SLU), Prof. Fredrik Gröndahl (KTH Blue Food Centre), Dr. Lee Chee Wee (IAAS), and Mr. Alarik Sandrup (Lantmännen), followed by a panel emphasizing partnerships as the engine of innovation.
Carbon Markets & Ecosystem-based Business Models – insights from Mr. Martin Persson (Eco-Innovation Foundation), Dr. Steven Cheng (Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research), and Dr. Tan Wee Liang (Noah Initiatives, Sunlit Asset Management).

Originally scheduled panelist Mr. Gustaf Brandberg (Co-Founder, Re:food Invest) was unable to attend due to illness. Stepping in, Mr. Andrew Kwan joined Persson, Tan, and Mr. Ang Yoke Kee (Pedigree Investment) in a lively impact investing panel moderated by Prof. Annie Koh (Singapore Management University, Board Director of Singapore Food Agency).

The day concluded with networking and an appreciation dinner, reinforcing a strong sense of Nordic–Asian solidarity.

Site Visits & Business Mission – 9–10 September

Delegates then traveled across Uppsala and Stockholm for immersive visits:

At Deliplant, they saw how locally sourced crops are turned into sustainable plant-based proteins.
At Green Innovation Park, startups such as SLU Holding AB, SciIns AB, and Agteria AB presented frontier agri-tech innovations.
At Epicenter Stockholm, participants explored how a digital innovation hub fosters collaboration across sectors. A highlight was the special presentation by Mr. Gustaf Brandberg, who—despite missing the Forum the day before—made it a point to meet the delegation in person. His candid reflections on food-tech investing and entrepreneurial resilience left a strong impression, underscoring Swedish innovators’ commitment to global collaboration.
At Torsåker Gård (Axfoundation), delegates experienced a unique blend of regenerative agriculture, research, and gastronomy—a multisensory journey many described as the highlight of the mission.

That evening, the delegation also joined a networking dinner with founders of two Swedish startups, creating an intimate space for candid discussions on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. This exchange added a personal dimension to the mission, allowing delegates to better understand the vision and challenges faced by Sweden’s next-generation innovators.

The program culminated with the Pitch & Networking Session, organized by Business Sweden in Stockholm. Unlike a traditional seminar, the session emphasized practical collaboration:

Swedish agri/food-tech companies pitched pilot projects and investment-ready technologies.
Delegates engaged in one-to-one matchmaking discussions with entrepreneurs and innovators.
Informal networking fostered candid exchanges on technology transfer, investment partnerships, and market entry strategies.

Participants highlighted the Pitch Session as the most direct bridge between Nordic innovation and Asian market needs, laying the groundwork for concrete partnerships, pilot projects, and future joint ventures.

About IAAS

The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) is dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and innovations worldwide. By facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration, IAAS aims to address global food security challenges and support the development of resilient agri-food systems.

IAIC 2024 Agenda and Webinar Recording

21 June 2024, Friday

Time (CEST)

Agenda

09:00AM

Opening Remarks (Video)

Welcome Remarks

Dr. TAN Wee Liang
Associate Faculty, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University
Vice-Chairman, International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS)

09:05AM

Dr. Nils Borchard
Conference Local Chair
Head of Research and Innovation DLG e.V.
Topic: “Enhancing resilience of agricultural systems-Preserving Biodiversity and Carbon farming”

Ms. Ira van Eelen
Cofounder, RESPECTfarms
CEO, KindEarth.Tech
Co-founder of Cellulaire Agricultuur Nederland Foundation
Topic: “Farming and CellularAgriculture”

Ms. Su McCluskey
Special Representative for Australian Agriculture
Topic: “Global Perspectives on Australian agrifood innovation in climate-smart agriculture”

10:20PM

Paper Presentation

Session Chair: Dr. Tzong-Ru LEE
Professor, Department of Marketing, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
Fellow, International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS)

Papers:

IAIC2024-P0023 | IAIC2024-P0028 | IAIC2024-P0029 | IAIC2024-P0033 | IAIC2024-P0034

Q&A

12:00PM

Paper Presentation

Session Chair: Dr. TAN Wee Liang
Professor, Department of Marketing, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan

Papers:

IAIC2024-P0021 | IAIC2024-P0030 | IAIC2024-P0031 | IAIC2024-P0032

Q&A

13:20PM

Close Remarks (Video)

Dr. TAN Wee Liang
Associate Faculty, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University
Vice-Chairman, International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS)