IAIC 2025 Sweden: Advancing Global Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Circular Economy

Uppsala & Stockholm, Sweden – September 11, 2025

Uppsala & Stockholm, Sweden – September 11, 2025 – The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) has successfully concluded the International Agribusiness Innovation Conference (IAIC) 2025 in Sweden, held from 8–10 September 2025 under the theme “Carbon Capture & Circular Economy: Accelerating Sustainability through Entrepreneurship.”

The three-day program brought together policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors from Europe and Asia, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and partnership-building around sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and circular economy innovation.

Forum Highlights – Uppsala (8 September)

The IAIC 2025 Business Forum, hosted at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Ylva Hillbur (Pro Vice-Chancellor, SLU), Dr. Lee Chee Wee (Chairman, IAAS), and Mr. Ludvig Hermansson (Country Manager of Singapore & Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, Business Sweden).

Delivering the keynote, Mr. Andrew Kwan, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Sweden, underscored the urgency of climate action and the need for solutions that are both politically sound and commercially viable.

The forum featured three thematic sessions:

Policies & Science for a Circular & Low-Carbon Bioeconomy – presentations by Prof. Emma Holmström (SLU), Dr. Per Bodin (Swedish Board of Agriculture), Prof. Lena Gipperth (University of Gothenburg), Prof. Göran Bergkvist (SLU), and Prof. Björn Vinnerås (SLU). A fireside panel moderated by Sara Arvidson (SLU) brought together Bodin, Gipperth, and Dr. Erik Sindhöj (RISE Research Institutes of Sweden).
Circular Economy in Practice – contributions from Prof. Helena Hansson (SLU), Prof. Fredrik Gröndahl (KTH Blue Food Centre), Dr. Lee Chee Wee (IAAS), and Mr. Alarik Sandrup (Lantmännen), followed by a panel emphasizing partnerships as the engine of innovation.
Carbon Markets & Ecosystem-based Business Models – insights from Mr. Martin Persson (Eco-Innovation Foundation), Dr. Steven Cheng (Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research), and Dr. Tan Wee Liang (Noah Initiatives, Sunlit Asset Management).

Originally scheduled panelist Mr. Gustaf Brandberg (Co-Founder, Re:food Invest) was unable to attend due to illness. Stepping in, Mr. Andrew Kwan joined Persson, Tan, and Mr. Ang Yoke Kee (Pedigree Investment) in a lively impact investing panel moderated by Prof. Annie Koh (Singapore Management University, Board Director of Singapore Food Agency).

The day concluded with networking and an appreciation dinner, reinforcing a strong sense of Nordic–Asian solidarity.

Site Visits & Business Mission – 9–10 September

Delegates then traveled across Uppsala and Stockholm for immersive visits:

At Deliplant, they saw how locally sourced crops are turned into sustainable plant-based proteins.
At Green Innovation Park, startups such as SLU Holding AB, SciIns AB, and Agteria AB presented frontier agri-tech innovations.
At Epicenter Stockholm, participants explored how a digital innovation hub fosters collaboration across sectors. A highlight was the special presentation by Mr. Gustaf Brandberg, who—despite missing the Forum the day before—made it a point to meet the delegation in person. His candid reflections on food-tech investing and entrepreneurial resilience left a strong impression, underscoring Swedish innovators’ commitment to global collaboration.
At Torsåker Gård (Axfoundation), delegates experienced a unique blend of regenerative agriculture, research, and gastronomy—a multisensory journey many described as the highlight of the mission.

That evening, the delegation also joined a networking dinner with founders of two Swedish startups, creating an intimate space for candid discussions on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. This exchange added a personal dimension to the mission, allowing delegates to better understand the vision and challenges faced by Sweden’s next-generation innovators.

The program culminated with the Pitch & Networking Session, organized by Business Sweden in Stockholm. Unlike a traditional seminar, the session emphasized practical collaboration:

Swedish agri/food-tech companies pitched pilot projects and investment-ready technologies.
Delegates engaged in one-to-one matchmaking discussions with entrepreneurs and innovators.
Informal networking fostered candid exchanges on technology transfer, investment partnerships, and market entry strategies.

Participants highlighted the Pitch Session as the most direct bridge between Nordic innovation and Asian market needs, laying the groundwork for concrete partnerships, pilot projects, and future joint ventures.

About IAIC

The International Agribusiness Innovation Conference (IAIC), organized by the International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS), is a global platform for advancing sustainable agribusiness through innovation, research, and partnerships.

For more information: www.iaic.iaas.org.sg

Agenda and Recordings

Time (SGT)

Agenda

09:30AM

Opening Remarks

Mr. Andrew KWAN | Vice Chairman & Honorary Secretary of Singapore Business Federation Group Managing Director of the Commonwealth Capital Group

Session 1 Harnessing the Power of ESG for Entrepreneurial Innovation in Family Business

09:40AM

“Harnessing the Power of ESG for Entrepreneurial Innovation”

Ms. Michelle CHEO ｜Deputy Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer of Mewah International Inc.

10:00AM

“Envisioning the Future of Food from Traditional Business.”

Mr. John CHENG | Founder and Managing Director of Innovate 360

10:20AM

“Family Business and Sustainability Transformation”

Ms. Cynthia Handriani WIJAYA | Chief Corporate Officer and Board director & Sustainability at Daya Selaras Group

10:40AM

Panel Discussion

Moderator:

Prof. Annie KOH | Professor Emeritus of Finance (Practice) & Senior Advisor, Business Families Institute, Singapore Management University, Singapore

Panelists:

Ms. Michelle CHEO | Deputy Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer of Mewah International Inc.
Mr. John CHENG | Founder and Managing Director of Innovate 360
Ms. Cynthia Handriani WIJAYA | Chief Corporate Officer and Board director & Sustainability at Daya Selaras Group

11:10AM

Networking & Coffee Break

Session 2 Embracing ESG for Sustainable Growth and Development

11:30AM

Report Presentation
“Rethinking Impact: Operationalizing ESG in Business Families”
(Research Paper Launches sponsored by Vital Wellspring Group)

Presenter: Dr. Kenneth GOH | Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Academic Director, Business Families Institute, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University

12:00PM

Panel Discussion

Moderator:

Mr. Mark LEE ｜ Deputy Honorary Treasurer of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) Chief Executive Officer of Sing Lun Holdings Limited

Panelists:

Ms. Jamie LIM ｜ CEO of Scanteak Singapore
Mr. Nicholas NG ｜ Director of X-Inc Pte Ltd
Mr. Arthur CHUA ｜ CEO of Goldbell Group

12:30PM

“Management Accounting and ESG: Taiwan Experience”

Prof. Anne WU ｜ Chair Professor, Department of Accounting, College of Commerce, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

12:50PM

Lunch & Interactive Session

Session 3 ESG-Driven Strategies for Resilient Agriculture Investment

14:00PM

“Evolving Priorities in Global Agricultural Advancements”

Dr. Ravi KHETARPAL | Executive Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Thailand

14:20PM

“Sowing Seeds for the Future: Genomic Breeding for Indoor Farming”

Prof. CHEW Fook Tim | Vice Dean and Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore

14:40PM

“Agrifood Impact Investing with ESG Benefits”

Prof. Paul TENG | Dean and Managing Director at National Institute of Education International Pte. Ltd., Nanyang Technological University

15:00PM

“ESG Impact on Agriculture”

Dr. TAN Wee Liang ｜ Vice-Chairman, IAAS Director of Sunlit Asset Holdings Council Member of Entrepreneurship Forum (Singapore)

15:20PM

Closing Remarks

Dr. TAN Wee Liang ｜ Vice-Chairman, IAAS Director of Sunlit Asset Holdings Council Member of Entrepreneurship Forum (Singapore)