Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar Engines of Growth in Fragile Contexts: Launching the IFPRI–UNU-WIDER research partnership Organized by IFPRI and United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) June 10, 2026 Fragile and conflict-affected settings account for a growing share of global poverty. Roughly 2 billion people live in these areas, accounting for 25% of the world’s population but 72% of the world’s extreme poor. At the national level, many fragile economies struggle to sustain growth, create jobs, and recover from repeated shocks. Yet even amid conflict, climate stress, and political instability, some communities continue to adapt, work, trade, and invest. For these “islands of resilience,” local livelihoods, skills, trust, and collective action support local economic activity that connects to broader growth trajectories. Understanding these dynamics can help identify how strategic support can strengthen resilience, recovery, and livelihoods in at-risk economies. Join us for this event marking the launch of the IFPRI–UNU-WIDER research partnership, which will work with local partners to generate evidence on the engines of growth that sustain economic activity amid fragility. This seminar will bring together researchers, donors, policy stakeholders, and implementation partners to discuss why some local economies remain resilient under stress, what evidence is needed to guide investment and programming, and how policy can support locally grounded pathways to economic recovery. This event was supported by the CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security Program. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by CGIAR funders through the CGIAR Trust Fund. For more information visit: https://www.cgiar.org/cgiar-research-porfolio-2025-2030/food-frontiers-and-security/. Welcome Remarks Daniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI Patricia Justino, Director, UNU-WIDER Presentations from IFPRI and UNU-WIDER Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Patricia Justino, Director, UNU-WIDER Panel Discussion: Unlocking Local Economies for Resilient Recovery Maya Ragab, Head of Programmes, Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) Elizabeth Radin, Senior Director of Research, International Rescue Committee (IRC) Luis Felipe López-Calva, Global Director, Prosperity Vertical, World Bank Group Closing Remarks Daniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI Moderator Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/engines-of-growth-in-fragile-contexts-launching-an-ifpri-unu-wider-research-partnership/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Success Pathways for Scaling Biofortified Crops by International Food Policy Research Institute

Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar Financing Social Protection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Co-organized by IFPRI and the CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations April 29, 2026 Social protection and safety net programs have expanded significantly across many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the last two decades. Despite this progress, the expansion and coverage of these programs remain uneven, leaving nearly 2 billion people in LMICs without access to social protection. Innovative financing mechanisms and domestic funding have helped some LMICs make important strides in expanding their social protection programs, but fiscal constraints prevent other countries from doing so. These challenges are becoming more pronounced amid reduced international development aid and the effects of regional and global shocks, even as such shocks necessitate the expansion of social safety nets to protect poor and vulnerable populations. This policy seminar will discuss lessons learned from countries and organizations that have implemented large-scale social protection programs. It will bring together government representatives, practitioners, and researchers to share important insights and global, regional, and national statistics related to financing social protection and safety net programs. Welcoming Remarks Daniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI Global Experience and Lessons on Financing Social Protection and Safety Net Programs in LMICs Ugo Gentilini, Lead Economist, Social Policy (MENAAP region), World Bank Cases and Experiences from Africa Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Panel Discussion: Lessons and Experiences from Selected Countries Raafat Shafeek, Assistant Minister for Social Protection and Executive Director, Takaful and Karama Program, Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), Egypt Asmita More, Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Gadchiroli, Govt. of Maharashtra, India Lynette Ochuma, Ag. Secretary, Directorate of Social Development (DSD), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), Kenya Buthaina Al-Iryani, Social Policy & Public Finance Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ival Cummings-John, Social Development Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Closing Remarks Clemens Breisinger, Director, CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations Moderator Melissa Hidrobo, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/financing-social-protection-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

How does Trade Risk Influence Agricultural Policy? by International Food Policy Research Institute

IFPRI-AMIS Seminar Series | IFPRI Policy Seminar A Narrow Strait, Global Consequences: Hormuz Strait and Fertilizer Markets Co-organized by IFPRI and Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) April 23, 2026 Fertilizer markets have entered a phase of heightened uncertainty, where geopolitical risks intersect with highly concentrated production, energy dependence, and fragile logistics. These risks are no longer hypothetical. The Strait of Hormuz represents a critical chokepoint for fertilizer trade, with around 35 percent of global urea flows, over one quarter of ammonia trade, just above 20 percent of phosphates, and roughly 45 percent of global sulfur exports transiting the Strait. Ongoing restrictions on maritime traffic through Hormuz underscore its role as a key pressure point in global fertilizer supply chains. Even partial or temporary disruptions can reverberate through markets, while a prolonged or intensified disruption would pose serious challenges for securing adequate nutrient supplies ahead of future cropping seasons. Moreover, even in the event of an easing or reopening, restarting production, logistical normalization, and contract re‑alignment would take time, delaying a full recovery in supply flows. This IFPRI-AMIS seminar looks ahead to assess how fertilizer markets may evolve under these conditions. Drawing on the latest market intelligence and trade analysis, speakers will examine transmission channels from constrained shipping and elevated insurance risks to energy‑driven production costs, price volatility, and regional supply vulnerabilities. The discussion will focus on implications for major importing regions, risks to fertilizer affordability and application decisions, and potential knock‑on effects for agricultural production and food security, as well as policy and market responses to strengthen preparedness in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Opening Remarks Monika Tothova, Senior Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) Secretary Landscape of Fertilizer Markets Delphine Leconte-Demarsy, Fertilizer consultant, Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) Changes in Fertilizer Trade Flows Shawn Arita, Associate Director and Associate Research Professor, Agricultural Risk Policy Center, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Panel Discussion Africa: Maria Wanzala, Director of Policy, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) Brazil: Joana Colussi, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University India: Shalender Singh, Chief Manager, Marketing, Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited United States: Veronica Nigh, Chief Economist, The Fertilizer Institute Concluding Remarks Joseph Glauber, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/a-narrow-strait-global-consequences-hormuz-strait-and-fertilizer-markets/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar Data in Action: Getting Ahead of Crises: Launch of the Next Generation HungerMapLIVE Co-organized by IFPRI and the World Food Programme (WFP) | Convening alongside the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings April 17, 2026 As global food security challenges intensify, using timely and reliable data to forecast food insecurity and malnutrition crises can prevent emerging shocks from escalating into humanitarian crises. This high‑level event brings together the World Food Programme, IFPRI and key partners for the launch of World Food Programme’s next‑generation HungerMapLIVE platform. Designed to strengthen global early warning systems, this latest generation incorporates richer indicators, enhanced forecasting, subnational modeling, advanced analytical capabilities and AI-enabled insights that help policymakers, researchers, and practitioners better anticipate and respond to food security and nutrition risks. Please join us for this debut and live demonstration of the latest HungerMapLIVE platform and a discussion on how timely data enables rapidly improving approaches to forecasting and early warning. The HungerMapLIVE platform will be inaugurated by The Honorable Cindy McCain, WFP’s Executive Director. A distinguished panel of experts will subsequently examine: New innovations to support more accurate early warning, including the responsible use of AI as an analytical enabler Approaches to filling existing data gaps The urgent need for sustained investments in strong data ecosystems to ensure sound food security and nutrition analytics Opportunities for deeper collaboration to support smarter and earlier decision-making The event will also feature remarks from policymakers and representatives of multilateral and regional development banks who rely on early warning systems to inform their operations, policies and investments. Welcome Remarks Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI Opening Remarks on the Global Hunger Crisis and the Case for Faster, Data-Driven Action The Honorable Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP) Launch of HungerMapLIVE Introducing HungerMapLIVE and live demonstration: Jean-Martin Bauer, Director, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Spotlights – AI x Food Security Forecasting Yanyan Liu, Senior Research Fellow in the Markets, Trade, and Institutions, IFPRI Philipp Zimmer, Researcher, World Bank Group High-Level Panel Discussion: From Early Warning to Early Action Moderated by Kyriacos Koupparis, Head, Early Warning and Forecasting Unit, World Food Programme (WFP) Shobha Shetty, Global Director, Agriculture and Food, World Bank Laura Rojas Sánchez, Chief of the Disaster Risk Management Unit at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Dan Gilligan, Director of the Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion, IFPRI Jean-Martin Bauer, Director, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, World Food Programme (WFP) Moderator Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/data-in-action-getting-ahead-of-crises-launch-of-the-next-generation-hungermaplive/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Agricultural Insurance: Innovations, Policies, and Pathways to Scale by International Food Policy Research Institute

Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture | IFPRI Policy Seminar Sustaining Momentum for Nutrition Financing in the Global Development Agenda 35th Annual Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture April 15, 2026 Recognizing France’s tremendous leadership of the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G), IFPRI and the Forman lecture selection Committee are delighted to announce that Her Excellency Éléonore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Responsible for Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Nationals Abroad has been invited to deliver the 35th Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture. France’s leadership of the N4G Summit held in France helped to cement nutrition as a core development priority, reaffirmed a global commitment to fight all forms of malnutrition and emphasized the importance of policy coherence, continuity and long-term commitment. Importantly, the summit also delivered one of the strongest mobilizations since N4G began in 2013, generating 517 new commitments from 160 actors across 75 countries, spanning policy reforms, financing pledges, and programmatic actions. France’s stewardship helped ensure that the summit not only renewed global political attention to nutrition but also produced concrete, trackable commitments and a platform for continued accountability. The French government continues to emphasize the importance of following through on the N4G summit and of keeping nutrition front and center of the global policy agenda, also through its leadership of the G7. The annual lecture commemorates Martin J. Forman, who headed the Office of Nutrition at USAID for more than 20 years and made a significant impact on international nutrition. The lecturer is invited to present personal views about major issues related to malnutrition. Welcome Remarks from IFPRI Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI Welcome Remarks from the Forman Family Kenan Forman, Son of Martin J. Forman Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture Éléonore Caroit, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France Discussant Remarks Matthew Freeman, Executive Director, Stronger Foundations for Nutrition Abigail Perry, Global Program Lead for Nutrition, World Bank Moderator Purnima Menon, Senior Director for Food and Nutrition Policy, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/sustaining-momentum-for-nutrition-financing-in-the-global-development-agenda/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

While the global food system has largely adjusted to the disruptions in agricultural commodities and fertilizers following the invasion of Ukraine, the new conflict in the Middle East introduces a new set of challenges at a time when markets and supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical shocks. Disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil and natural gas, as well as fertilizers, transit. Concerns about potential impacts on production sites in the region have added to the uncertainty. These developments have implications for countries heavily reliant on Gulf producers for oil, gas, and fertilizers, as well as for food-import dependent economies in the Gulf, should agricultural shipments to the region face prolonged delays. While the immediate effects on trade flows and prices are still unfolding, higher energy and fertilizer costs can influence agricultural production decisions and, over time, shape food security outcomes. Understanding these dynamics early is important for anticipating where pressures may emerge and how they may interact with existing vulnerabilities. As global food systems become increasingly exposed to conflict-related and geopolitical risks, timely analysis is essential for informing both rapid response and longer-term resilience efforts. Clear insights into potential stress points and market adjustments can help governments, value chain actors, development partners, and humanitarian organizations prepare and respond effectively. The event will feature: Presentations from IFPRI experts, who will provide an up‑to‑date assessment of these developments and discuss their implications for vulnerable low‑ and middle‑income countries. A second panel of senior representatives from governments, international organizations, and the private sector, who will reflect on how they are addressing the immediate effects of the crisis and share perspectives on priorities for strengthening resilience and improving risk management strategies going forward. An opportunity for questions, comments, and discussion. Moderated by: Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Opening Remarks Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI Ramifications for Asian Economies Albert Park, Chief Economist, Asian Development Bank Food Security Considerations and MDB toolkits Renaud Seligmann, Director for Strategy and Operations, World Bank Planet Vice Presidency Early Analyses Market Responses to the Conflict in the Middle East: Joseph Glauber, Research Fellow Emeritus, IFPRI Understanding Vulnerabilities at the Country Level: James Thurlow, Director, Foresight and Policy Modeling, IFPRI Comments on Rapid Analysis: Mark Diamond, Economist-IBRD Lead, World Bank Group Team, International Financial Institutions Dept., Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) External Panel on Rapid Response and Risk Management Moderated by: Anna Gawel, Managing Editor, Devex Humanitarian Needs: Rania Dagash-Kamara, Assistant Executive Director, Partnerships and Innovation, World Food Programme (WFP) Considerations for Food Import Dependent Gulf Countries: Josef Schmidhuber, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, UAE Considerations for India: Rakesh Kapur, Joint Managing Director, Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative (IFFCO) Food Security Investments in Times of Conflict: Jonah Gold, Managing Director of Insurance, US International Development Finance Corporation More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/conflict-in-the-middle-east-reverberations-for-food-systems/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Rooted in Biodiversity: Transforming Landscapes through Nature-Positive Agriculture by International Food Policy Research Institute