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.