🌍 Global Dairy Leaders Converge in Brussels for IDF Mid-Year Meetings

Brussels | June 2025 —
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) successfully concluded a highly productive week of mid-year meetings in Brussels, bringing together dairy leaders, scientists, policymakers, and technical experts from across the globe. The multi-day event featured a comprehensive agenda that included sessions of the IDF Board, General Assembly, Strategic Planning Workshop, Science Programme Coordinating Committee (SPCC), and National Committees Forum.

With vibrant participation from IDF member countries and stakeholder institutions, the week served as a critical checkpoint for shaping the federation’s ongoing contributions to global dairy sustainability, safety, innovation, and resilience.

“This week reflected the spirit of international cooperation that defines IDF,” said Laurence Rycken, IDF Director General.
“We are grateful to our members, partners, and staff for the insights and efforts that made these sessions so constructive.”

🇮🇳 India’s Active Participation

India was prominently represented during the meetings, with Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), joining global leaders in key sessions. Dr. Shah’s participation reflects India’s growing influence in shaping dairy policy, innovation frameworks, and sustainability dialogue at the international level.

🔍 Themes Driving Global Collaboration

Throughout the week, participants explored emerging issues and strategic themes central to the future of dairy, including:

• People & Culture: Promoting inclusive livelihoods across the dairy value chain
• Economy, Standards & Resilience: Strengthening frameworks for sustainable trade and production
• Environment & Nature: Advancing dairy’s role in regenerative agriculture and emissions reduction
• Animal Health & Welfare: Sharing best practices for ethical and productive farming systems
• Innovation & Technology: Showcasing new tools for traceability, productivity, and transparency
• Nutrition, Food Safety & Health: Reaffirming dairy’s role in global nutrition security

The Science Programme Coordinating Committee (SPCC) also reviewed research priorities and technical standards for the upcoming year, aligning scientific outputs with global food systems dialogues and sustainability benchmarks.

🤝 Moving Forward

The mid-year meetings have set a strong foundation for the World Dairy Summit 2025 and other initiatives in IDF’s strategic calendar. The collaborative tone and actionable insights reaffirm the federation’s role as a central platform for global dairy advancement.