Shaikh Tanveer Hossain
Shaikh Tanveer Hossain is an expert in sustainable agriculture with more than 29 years of experience in national research, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations. He is passionate about using organic and agro-ecological approaches to make agricultural and food systems more sustainable.
His extensive research on innovative organic agriculture on small farmers’ living conditions has resulted improvement of rural livelihood and brought several professional awards in his career.
Currently, Tanveer serves as Director, Policy and Strategy of IFOAM-Organics Asia. He is an Ambassador for IFOAM-Organics International, Asian Local Government for Organic Agriculture (ALGOA) and Access Agriculture. Formerly, he served in different organizations such as Senior Program Officer, Agriculture Unit of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO)-Japan, Sustainable Agriculture Advisor of Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and Senior Scientist of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).
Tanveer holds a PhD in Agriculture from Ehime University, Japan (2008). He was awarded the grand prize of the Organic Farming Innovation Award (OFIA) by the IFOAM-Organics International and RDA, South Korea in 2011.
He was previously Vice-President of IFOAM-Asia and had has published around 50 scientific articles.
Dragana Vidojević
Dragana Vidojević is an environmental scientist specializing in soil research, land degradation, and agri-environmental consultancy.
She has been an Independent Advisor at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, Environmental Protection Agency, since 2004 and has led the Section for Indicators and Reporting since 2014. From 2019 to 2023, she was appointed President of the Management Board of the Soil Research Institute in Belgrade.
Vidojević earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the University of Belgrade and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Soil Science, and Agrochemistry from the University of Novi Sad. With over 30 years of experience, she has contributed extensively to soil research projects and policy development in the Western Balkans.
She serves as Serbia’s Primary Contact Point for cooperation with the European Environment Agency and EIONET on soil and food systems. A prolific researcher, Vidojević has published nearly 100 scientific papers.
She is dedicated to bridging the gap between science and policymaking, particularly in soil protection and sustainable agriculture.
Her international collaborations and deep understanding of green agriculture and sustainable soil management make her a key figure in agri-environmental policymaking and research in the region.
Nazim Gruda
Nazim Gruda is a leading expert in sustainable agriculture and horticulture with over 40 years of experience in international research, policy advising, and capacity-building. His work focuses on sustainable horticultural food production, climate-smart agriculture, and food quality and security.
Nazim has played a key role in global R&D projects, advancing resource-efficient horticulture, protected cultivation systems, climate-resilient crop production, and produce quality. His research has influenced global policies on sustainable food systems, benefiting smallholder farmers and rural livelihoods. Nazim earned his Doctorate at the Technical University of Munich and Habilitation at the Humboldt University of Berlin. He is a Professor at the University of Bonn, Germany, and the Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania.
He has served in governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations, including Germany’s Higher Civil Service and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. He is Vice-President of the Union of European Academies for Science Applied to Agriculture, Food, and Nature and Vice-Chair of the ISHS Division of Vegetables, Roots, and Tubers.
He has published 350+ scientific papers, nearly 200 indexed in Scopus, and has been among the top 2% of the world’s most influential researchers since 2020. He has also authored 33 books and book chapters and serves as an editor and advisory board member for leading horticultural journals. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious national and international awards, including the Dr. Heinrich-Baur Prize (Germany), National Scientific Prize (Albania), Investigador Distinguido – María Zambrano (Spain, 2024), and Distinguished Scientist Award (China, 2020, 2025).
Maria Florencia Millan Placci
Maria Florencia Millan Placci is a highly skilled Economist with 25 years of experience working in international organizations, subnational governments and the private sector.
Her areas of expertise include regional economic development, particularly in agrobusinesses access to markets and finance with a strong focus on gender and sustainability. She has extensive experience in transport, logistics, and infrastructure, with an emphasis on trade facilitation and agricultural supply chain.
Her work has focused on linking small and medium farmers to markets reducing food loss and waste. Millan Placci has held senior consultant positions at FAO, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank, working on projects across Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. She has also served as public official to the Government of Mendoza, Argentina, and has worked with numerous private sector companies focusing market access and investment attraction.
She holds a Master in Public Administration, from Columbia University, where she attended as a Fulbright scholar, and a Master in Services Management, concentration in Tourism, Food and Beverage from University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. MSc.
Millan Placci is a recognized expert in her field and has published numerous articles and reports on topics related to agriculture, trade, and development and she is a frequent speaker at international conferences.
Davit Babayan
Davit Babayan did his Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics and Marketing from the Armenian State Agrarian University, which he completed in 2008. He subsequently pursued doctoral studies at the Slovak University of Agriculture, earning a Ph.D. in Business Economics and Management in 2013. His academic contributions include the authorship of over twenty scholarly articles in the fields of agriculture and agricultural economics, as well as a monograph on agricultural project management.
With a professional career dedicated to the advancement of the agricultural sector, Davit Babayan has accumulated extensive experience in both international development projects and public sector leadership. Beginning in 2008, he contributed to various international initiatives, including projects supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the European Union.
In early 2017, he assumed the role of Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, later transitioning to the Agriculture Development Foundation as Head of the Extension Directorate. From the spring of 2019 until the end of that year, he led the Extension and Science Department within the Ministry of Agriculture, later integrated into the Ministry of Economy.
Since 2020, he is the Director of the Center for Agricultural Research and Certification, a State Noncommercial Organization under the Ministry of Economy. In this capacity, organization oversees research and certification processes for various seed varieties, contributing to the development and implementation of policies that enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity.
Marta Antonelli
Marta Antonelli has 15+ years of experience as researcher and project leader, working across social and environmental sciences, in the fields of sustainable food systems, food policy, sustainable and healthy diets.Her experience includes positions, among others, at the University of Roma Tre, University IUAV of Venice, the University of Siena, Venice International University, the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology.
She currently serves as Head of Research at the Barilla Foundation and as Head of Impact Platforms at the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley.She served as Project coordinator of LIFE Climate Smart Chefs (2022-2024), which has established an EU wide training course for chefs to promote climate-smart food behaviours and reduce GHG emissions.
She is also a Senior Scientist at the Euro Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (CMCC).
She has been one of the 45 members of the expert group of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre to support the development of the legislative framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy.
With a M.Sc. in International Economics (La Sapienza University of Rome), M. SC. Development Studies (SOAS, University of London), she holds a Ph.D. in Environment, Politics and Development (King’s College London, University of London).
Cecilia Gañán de Molina
Cecilia Gañán de Molina is a senior expert and independent consultant in territorial sustainability and regional innovation.
She has extensive experience working with international organizations, including the European Commission, the United Nations (FAO), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A jurist by training, she holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Food Engineering, Forestry, and Sustainable Rural Development from the Universities of Córdoba and Seville. Starting as a technical advisor to the Andalusian delegation in Brussels, she then served in Seville as the head of cabinet of the regional minister for agriculture and fisheries; and as a director-general in the regional ministry of environment.
Cecilia co-authored the first Rural Development Guide published in Spain; and she contributed to the development of the Smart Territories Platform, a joint international initiative of the World Bank and the FAO. She has led projects for the FAO, systematising international experiences with territorial and landscape approaches, and for the EU International Urban Cooperation Program. She authored an International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report on the application of nature-based solutions in Mediterranean cities. Her recent publications include a paper on "Smart Specialisation and the EU Recovery and Resilience Funds" and a co-authored Eklipse-EU report on "Building Resilient Coastal Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Empowerment Tools." She is a frequent speaker and trainer on territorial trends, including mission-oriented initiatives for rural communities.
As an external expert for the European Commission on Regional and Urban Policies, Cecilia has contributed to various projects related to territorial policies. She has also provided support to the Agri-Food Interregional Innovation Partnerships established under the EU Smart Specialisation Platform.
Stanko Milić
Stanko Milić is a Senior Researcher specializing in soil science with over 20 years of experience.
His research interests lie in agroecology, soil fertility, soil chemistry, plant nutrition, crop requirements, soil contamination, agricultural water management, and irrigation water quality. He focuses on soil quality and analysis, contamination by hazardous and harmful substances and remediation, plant analysis, fertilization recommendations, and water quality in agriculture. Stanko earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agronomy from the Agricultural Faculty, University of Novi Sad, and completed his Ph.D. in Soil and Agrochemistry at the Agricultural Faculty, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
Currently, He is a Senior Research Associate at the National Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. He has participated in numerous scientific projects in collaboration with research institutions, international organizations, and business companies. These projects range from fundamental research to consultancy and tailored solutions for specific needs. As a national soil expert, he participated in the regional projects organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Rural Development Standing Working Group in Southeastern Europe (SWG), gaining experience in collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. He has also been involved in the adoption and interpretation of relevant legal and policy frameworks in Serbia, addressing challenges in their implementation.
As an author and co-author, Stanko has contributed to over 240 publications, including 33 papers published in international journals.
Ewelina Janowska-Miasik
Ewelina Janowska-Miasik is an agro-economist with extensive experience in food security and sustainable food systems. She holds a master’s degree in Economics and a PhD in Agronomy from Rzeszow University, Poland (2016). She has worked at both a university and a research institution to advance the understanding of food production—from the plant level to dietary and nutritional aspects—with findings published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Ewelina has led and contributed to several high-impact projects, including spearheading the AGRii DAO initiative in 2022—a pioneering cooperative dedicated to advancing agroecology by integrating research projects, indigenous knowledge, and innovative financing to support sustainable and equitable agricultural systems. Through AGRii DAO, she works to strengthen smallholder farmers' positions in the market by creating fair supply chains and ensuring they receive equitable returns.
She has also been involved in international initiatives, including participation in the Global Action Network on Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition, developed in partnership with the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries.
This initiative focused on integrating aquatic foods into strategies for global food security and nutrition, aligning with the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) and the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030). She remains actively engaged in innovative projects and international networks, driving progress toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global food system.
Ciro Gardi
Ciro Gardi currently works as a senior scientific officer in the risk assessment team of the PLANTS unit at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). He coordinates the activities of the High-Risk Plants Working Groups, which carry out risk assessments on specific plant products. Previously at EFSA, he worked on the quantitative risk assessment of globally significant pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda and on the host plant database for Xylella fastidiosa. He also takes part in several horizontal collaborations within EFSA on issues related to the use of plant protection products and with other organizations active in plant health.
Before joining EFSA, he worked at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, actively contributing to all aspects of soil conservation and degradation — from research to policy promotion and raising awareness. He has taught soil science at the University of Parma and in international master’s programs and courses. His previous research primarily focused on the relationships between land use, agronomic management, and soil quality.
An agronomist, soil scientist, and ecologist, with a PhD in crop science and a specialization in plant pathology, Ciro Gardi has developed in-depth knowledge of agricultural systems and the interactions between land management, soil quality, crops, vegetation, and ecosystem service provision. He has worked as a consultant and independent expert for the European Commission and the World Bank.
Tinatin Doolotkeldieva
Tinatin Doolotkeldieva earned her PhD at 27 from the Biological and Soil Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. She has held positions as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Head of the Plant Protection Department.
Currently, she is a Professor and Head of the Plant Protection Centre.
Her expertise includes Plant Pathology, Soil Microbiology, Biocontrol, and Bioremediation, employing molecular tools to manage plant health. She has published over 350 papers and is on the editorial boards of numerous journals. She is a member of the American Association for Microbiology, the Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction Society, the British Plant Pathology Society, the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, the Asian Plant Pathology Society, TIPI Asia, ‘Global Avalon network “on organic agriculture and a member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).
On April 25, 2014, she received the Gold Medal from the World Intellectual Property Organization for creating biological products. On August 27, 2019, she was honoured as an "Honored Worker of Science of the Kyrgyz Republic." Most recently, on May 5, 2024, she was awarded the SETAC Europe Noack Laboratorien Outstanding Science Career Award for contributing to environmental toxicology and chemistry.
Guillermo Palau Salvador
Guillermo Palau Salvador is a Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and a Senior Researcher at Ingenio CSIC-UPV, where he explores the relationships between science, technology, innovation, and society.
His research focuses on Agricultural Water Management and Food Governance, tackling issues like common goods management, participatory processes, and just transitions. He has authored over 50 publications, participated in more than 40 national and international projects, and collaborated with European institutions such as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
With over two decades of experience in applied creativity, innovation, and team management, he provides global training and helps organizations and public institutions navigate socio-technological transitions through systemic innovation, using methodologies like LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Creative Problem Solving, and Points of You®.
His commitment to social engagement includes creating over 20 documentaries for the "Artxiviu de l’horta" project and serving as secretary of the Assut Foundation, dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Valencia Region.
Darina Ostrikova
Darina Ostrikova is an experienced expert in green agriculture and sustainable development with extensive experience in policy analysis, strategic planning, and financial mechanisms for the agro-industrial sector. She has played an important role in shaping Kazakhstan’s agricultural policies through her work in state sector, various national institutions and with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Currently, she serves as a National Policy Expert on Green Agriculture at FAO Kazakhstan, where she contributes to policy assessments, capacity development, stakeholder engagement, and national and regional consultations on sustainable agricultural practices.
Previously, she has held leadership positions in strategic development and corporate governance at Agrarian Credit Corporation and KazAgro, supporting financial solutions for the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan. With a strong background in research, policy development, and international cooperation, Darina is committed to fostering green agriculture initiatives and promoting sustainability in Kazakhstan’s agri-food sector.
She is currently FAO National Consultant for the Green Agriculture initiative in Kazakhstan.
Jakhongir Babadjanov
Jakhongir Babadjanov is a highly qualified agricultural economist with a strong interdisciplinary background and a demonstrated commitment to sustainable agricultural development in Uzbekistan. Holding a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University (Netherlands), and a Master of Science in Agricultural Accounting from Tashkent State Agrarian University, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of agriculture. This academic rigor is complemented by practical experience in policy development, green agriculture promotion, and investment project management.
Through his education, research, and professional experiences, Mr. Babadjanov has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region. He is well-positioned to contribute to initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing food security, and fostering economic growth in the region.
He is currently FAO National Consultant for the Green Agriculture initiative in Uzbekistan.
Vahan Amirkhanyan
Vahan Amirkhanyan holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and has over 35 years of experience in agriculture. He has worked with various organizations, including those in the Republic of Armenia, international NGOs, and the United Nations.
Since joining FAO in 2008, he has managed a wide range of agricultural and development projects, including emergency initiatives, serving in roles such as National Agricultural Specialist, Technical Coordinator, Project Manager, and Project Coordinator.
He is currently FAO National Consultant for the Green Agriculture initiative in Armenia.
Chekirbaev Uran
Chekirbaev Uran holds Master’s Degrees in International Relations and Regional Development and possesses over 31 years of experience in public administration, including 6 years in Agricultural Policy Management. He has worked for various public organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, National Agency of Investment, Presidential Administration, and Ministry of Agriculture, as well as international organizations such as UNIDO, FAO, Tetra Tech (USAID), and Palladium Group (DFID).
Since joining the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021, he has managed agricultural cluster development in the Kyrgyz Republic, developed the Agricultural Industry Finance Project (valued at 17 billion som), and is responsible for Processing Industry and Organic Agricultural Policy implementation.
Currently, he is responsible for the Green Agriculture Initiative in the Kyrgyz Republic.