Food Loss and waste (FLW)is the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by food suppliers in the chain. One-third of the produced food is lost or wasted globally while more than 800 million people still suffer from hunger. The FLW concerns to the human sustainable development in many ways. The value of FLW each year contributes to 8% total greenhouse gas and consume about 24% of water for crop production globally.

In May 2015 under the Turkey Presidency, the G20 agriculture ministers highlighted the extent of food loss and waste (FLW) as "a global problem of enormous economic, environmental and societal significance" and encouraged all G20 members to strengthen their collective efforts to prevent and reduce FLW. The G20 recommendation to reduce FLW was followed by the agreement to set up the Technical Platform on measurement and reduction of Food Loss and Waste between FAO and IFPRI.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 of Agenda 2030, seeks to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”. Target 12.3 of that goal aims to “by 2030, halve the per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer level, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains including post-harvest losses”. Efforts by FAO and UN Environment are currently underway to measure progress toward achieving SDG 12.3.

Reducing FLW in food system needs systematic thinking and approaches. Food loss is not just “grain loss”, vegetables, fruits and animal products also needs more policy concerns. This event aims to evoke the awareness of FLW among young generation and encourage more innovative ideas, technologies, business proposals to support the National Plan for implementing the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, formulated by the Chinese government in 2015, which aims to reduce food loss and waste in food systems.

The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences is the national team for agricultural research in China, with rich scientific research resources and first-class research teams, and more than 30 research institutes within the Academy, with great research potential. As a living force in agricultural science research, youth often have brilliant ideas and cutting-edge thinking. This event aims to explore the potential of youth in agricultural science and technology innovation-oriented, and to play an active role in reducing food loss and waste.