On 18 November, the Save Food (China) Forum 2024 and the Awarding Ceremony for Save Food Design Award & Sustainability Design Award China were held at the Shang World of Packaging. Representatives from governments, scientific research institutions, agricultural product processing, packaging and supply chains gathered at the Forum to discuss how to reduce food loss and waste through packaging. The forum was jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in China, Messe Düsseldorf Group and Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Reducing food loss and waste has become an important issue today, and packaging plays an important role in reducing food loss and waste in food production, storage, transportation, processing, consumption and other steps. Han Yan, Assistant Representative of FAO China, said that cooperation and innovation are vital for reducing food loss and waste. FAO has worked with government departments, international organizations, the food packaging industry and other private sector partners for a long time, to address the challenges of food loss and waste, contributing to the global efforts to tackling this issue.

The Forum is part of the activities of the SAVE FOOD Initiative, which jointly launched by FAO, the United Nations Environment Program, the Messe Düsseldorf Group, and the International Processing and Packaging Machinery Exhibition interpack. Evian Gu, General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., said that since 2011, the SAVE FOOD Initiative has been focusing on the global food loss and waste issues, especially how to effectively play the unique role of the packaging industry in reducing food loss and waste.

During the panel discussion session, guests from research institutes, the private sector, international organizations, and civil societies shared their opinions on three topics: "Women in packaging", "Packaging Industry for Reducing Food Loss and Waste", and "Impacts of climate change and consumption habits on urban agri-food systems".

In addition, the Awarding Ceremony for Save Food Design Award & Sustainability Design Award China, co-organized by the Düsseldorf Exhibition Group, Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and the World Packaging Organization, FAO, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, was held at the Forum.