The Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) and UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) OzonAction have announced the agenda and speaker lineup for the 2024 World Cold Chain Symposium (WCCS), which will be held on October 26, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, at the UN ESCAP building. Themed “Building a Sustainable Cold Chain,” the event will kick off at 1:00 PM local time.
The symposium will bring together experts from various sectors to discuss critical topics surrounding the development of a sustainable cold chain, emphasizing key areas such as data gathering, technological innovations, capacity building, and financing mechanisms.
The event is divided into four sessions, each designed to address the various stages and components required to create an end-to-end sustainable cold chain. These sessions will cover the following themes:
The WCCS is set to feature a range of prominent speakers who are leaders in cold chain development, policy, and sustainability. The welcoming address will be delivered by Meg Seki, Ozone Secretariat for the United Nations Environment Programme, followed by opening remarks from Ed Dryden, President of Refrigeration for Carrier Corporation.
This session will focus on how sustainable cold chains can reduce food waste, improve food safety, and address global environmental challenges. Invited speakers include:
In this session, experts will discuss the latest innovations in refrigeration and energy-efficient technologies and how these innovations can be integrated into cold chain systems. Speakers include:
With the growth of the cold chain, ensuring proper training and capacity building is crucial. This session will address the challenges and opportunities related to workforce development and maintaining system efficiency. Speakers include:
The final session will explore financing options and strategies to encourage investment in sustainable cold chains. Speakers include:
The symposium will wrap up with an emphasis on collaborative efforts and global partnerships in advancing sustainable cold chain solutions.
For more information and to register for the symposium, please visit the official website: WCCS (performedia.com).
UNEP, as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, works through OzonAction to enable developing countries to meet compliance obligations under the treaty. The GFCCC is an independent industry organization focused on reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions by improving cold chain access with energy-efficient, low-global warming potential technology solutions.
The WCCS brings together thought leaders, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the future of cold chain technology and its role in addressing critical global challenges, including food security, climate change, and sustainable development. This year’s event promises to offer insightful discussions and actionable strategies for building a greener and more efficient cold chain.