Cape Town, South Africa I 16 September 2025 – CGIAR, through the Accelerator on Gender Equality and Inclusion, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Western Cape Government’s Department of Agriculture, will co host the Gender in Food, Land and Water Systems conference 2025 from 7 to 9 October 2025 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
Under the theme “Accelerating Equality in Food, Land and Water Systems: Driving Solutions through Evidence and Learning,” this conference arrives at a pivotal moment as the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – a comprehensive framework for advancing gender equality and women’s rights globally. Convening a diverse global cohort including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, private sector leaders and representatives from Indigenous and socially excluded communities, this conference, on the sides of South Africa’s G20 presidency will catalyse meaningful progress toward gender equality in agri-food and water systems. It aims to build solutions by bridging research, policy and practice to ensure inclusive and sustainable futures.
Focusing on five interrelated themes – Shifting gender and social norms, Women’s empowerment at scale, Resilience and livelihood innovations, Leadership and inclusion, and Youth empowerment – the conference aims to present evidence-based strategies for equitable and inclusive food, water and land systems, foster collaboration among key stakeholders while driving innovation, policy influence and impact-driven learning at global and local levels.
The 2025 conference will feature leading voices in agriculture, gender and development. Speakers include Dr Nicoline de Haan, Director for Gender Equality and Inclusion at CGIAR, Dr. Mark Smith, Director General at IWMI, Dr. Mogale Sebopetsa, H.O.D, Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, H.E. Ambassador J Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, CFS chair and ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, Surita Sandosham, President and CEO at Heifer International, Dr. Michael O’Sullivan, senior economist and head of the World Bank’s Africa Gender Innovation Lab, Dr. Medrine Muloza Banda, principal secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi, Lynn Schneider, senior program officer for Women’s Empowerment in Agricultural Development at the Gates Foundation and Dr. Lauren M. Phillips, deputy director for Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Their diverse expertise spans inclusive agricultural research, empowerment strategies, and participatory policy frameworks, bridging global leadership with Africa’s pressing contexts, including climate resilience, water scarcity and development equity.
The CGIAR Gender Conference 2025, is more than a convening, it’s a call to action. Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, practitioner, youth advocate, or private-sector leader, this conference offers a unique platform to co-create solutions that accelerate gender equality in food, land and water systems.
CGIAR brings critical science and innovation to feed the world and end inequality, while IWMI contributes global research excellence and practical expertise in water, land, and ecosystems – delivering evidence-based solutions that advance gender equality in food, land, and water systems. As host, the Western Cape Government’s Department of Agriculture will provide deep local insight, policy leadership, and a strong commitment to building inclusive food systems in South Africa, ensuring the conference outcomes are rooted in regional priorities and create lasting local impact.
Registrations are open, with standard rates available until Friday, 26 September 2025 (23:59 EDT). Attendees will gain priority access to cutting-edge research, practical policy tools and connection with a global network committed to accelerating gender equality in food, land, and water systems.
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Fun South African Fact: South Africa is home to the world’s longest wine route: Route 62. It spans an impressive 850 kilometres and the excellent wineries along the way are a must-visit for lovers of fine wine! You can even enjoy the winelands on a day trip from Cape Town. Travel 40-min to an hour outside of the city centre to enjoy decadent wine tastings and even wander through some of the beautiful wine farms and estates! Suburbs like Durbanville and Constantia are even closer to the city centre and are also home to many exceptional wineries.