We are pleased to announce that registration for the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium +20 (GCA +20) is now open.

Recognising the critical role of a diverse aquaculture sector for food security and poverty alleviation, the expectation for aquaculture to fill the increasing global fish supply and demand gap, the need to exchange information and experiences, and the importance for a common vision and appreciation on how to achieve the sustainable growth of this food sector, FAO, at the request of its Members, is organising the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium + 20 in collaboration with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China. Originally planned for October 2020 and postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GCA will now be held from 22–27 September 2021 in Shanghai, China.

GCA +20 will be the fourth in a series of development-oriented conferences that have shaped global aquaculture: Kyoto (1976), Bangkok (2000) and Phuket (2010). Under the theme “Aquaculture for food and sustainable development”, the GCA +20 aims to bring stakeholders from government, business, academia and civil society together to identify the policy and technology innovations, investment opportunities and fruitful areas of cooperation in aquaculture for food and sustainable development. A key output from the GCA +20 - The Shanghai Consensus - will highlight the principles and strategic pathways to maximise the contribution of sustainable aquaculture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and meeting the pledge of “Leaving no one behind”.

Interested participants are invited to complete the application form and the conference Secretariat will inform registrants as to the status of their application in due course. The GCA +20 will be a hybrid conference; registration will allow attendance of conference in-person or virtually, with the indicated preference taken into account to the extent possible. The maximum number of in-person participants will have to be capped, in close consultation with the host and in line with the latest advice from health authorities. The GCA is open to all interested stakeholders, including from government, academia, private sector and civil society. Women and youth (35 years of age or younger) are strongly encouraged to apply. Kindly note that registration is free.

• Registration