Gulf States depend heavily on food imports to meet local needs, and this dependence is expected to increase with food demand projected to grow by 50% over the next 20 years. This leaves Gulf nations exposed to risks due to unreliable supply chains and unstable prices in global food markets.

Recognising these risks, countries across the Gulf have identified food security and associated topics including agritech, aquaculture and food safety as national priorities. Scientific research has a critical role in meeting the challenge of guaranteeing food security, therefore, this symposium is organised to showcase the latest advances in these thematic areas.

The Agritech, Aquaculture & Food Safety Symposium will be held at Sultan Qaboos University from 5th to 6th March, 2018. It will be attended by scientists from Universities, other research institutions, start-up companies and established industry from the Gulf countries and the UK, as well as government entities. It will invite open discussions and potential investment to encourage the creation of UK-Gulf collaboration to access the deep pool of information & technology, which will in turn lead to benefits for both the Gulf and the UK and open the door for commercial opportunities. We are, therefore, asking researchers to present their stimulating work and ideas related to agritech, aquaculture and food safety.

This event will be funded and delivered as part of the UK Government Gulf Science Innovation Knowledge Economy Programme. It will include a research call via the Institutional Links in the spring of 2018 and food security sub-topics will be part of the call. This research call, the second in as many years, includes a UK Government contribution of £2.4 million

This event is organised in collaboration by the UK Science & Innovation Network (SIN), the British Embassy in Oman, the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the British Council, and is to be hosted by Sultan Qaboos University and supported by The Research Council, Muscat, Oman.

The deadline for receiving applications is 19 January 2018

Completed applications should be sent to Zuweina.Almamaary@om.britishcouncil.org