The 2024 World Cold Chain Symposium Agenda Announced: "Building a Sustainable Cold Chain"

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.

Agenda Overview

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:

1. Impact and Benefits of the Cold Chain
2. Technology for Cold Chains – Connecting the Dots
3. Training, Servicing, and Capacity Building Issues – Challenges and Opportunities
4. Momentum in Financing Opportunities and Mechanisms

Keynote Speakers and Invited Experts

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.

Session 1: The Impact and Benefits of the Cold Chain

This session will focus on how sustainable cold chains can reduce food waste, improve food safety, and address global environmental challenges. Invited speakers include:

• Rajan Rajendran, Co-Chair of RTOC, TEAP
• Nihar Shah, Presidential Director, Global Cooling Efficiency Program, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
• Marco Duran, Director of Policy and Global Partnerships Department, IIR
• Aaron Friedman-Heiman, University of Michigan
• Shelie Miller, Professor at the University of Michigan

Session 2: Technology for Cold Chains – Connecting the Dots

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:

• Greg Brooker, ANZ Refrigerant Specialist, ACTROL
• Andrea Voigt, Vice President, Global Public Affairs, Sustainability & Communications, Danfoss
• Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Director, Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies
• Devendra Gupta, CEO and Founder, Ecozen Solutions

Session 3: Training, Servicing, and Capacity Building Issues – Challenges and Opportunities

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:

• Jeanne de Crepy, Project Manager, Supply Chain, UN World Food Program
• Richard Scotney, Global Energy Efficiency Lead, World Wildlife Fund
• Jim Curlin, Head, UNEP OzonAction
• Pramod Singh, Senior Director, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy

Session 4: Momentum in Financing Opportunities and Mechanisms

The final session will explore financing options and strategies to encourage investment in sustainable cold chains. Speakers include:

• Tina Birmpili, Chief Officer, Multilateral Fund
• Jonathan Naimon, Managing Partner, Sustana Cooling Partners
• Rajchanee Chanawatr, Principal Investment Officer, IFC

Closing Remarks

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.

About the 2024 World Cold Chain Symposium

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.