Louise Fresco

As food, climate, and water crises persist, Louise Fresco examines global agricultural practices and livestock management. An expert in agriculture and sustainability, Fresco explores the ongoing connections between urban and rural communities through food systems, even as demographics and priorities evolve.

A former United Nations director, contributor to international think tanks, and advisor to academic institutions in Europe and the United States, Fresco has observed that social unrest is exacerbated by hunger, poverty, environmental challenges, and modernization. Fresco emphasizes that responsible agriculture underpins the livelihood of every civilization, but maintains that food aid alone does not resolve world hunger. She advocates for smart, localized solutions in food production to support conflict-affected regions and address regulatory pressures on agriculture.

Fresco is president emerita of Wageningen University & Research and remains active in international policy and advisory roles. She teaches at the University of Amsterdam, writes on policy and economics for NRC Handelsblad, and is also a novelist. Fresco is a member of several international scientific academies and has received multiple awards for her contributions to science and sustainability, including honorary doctorates and the Comenius Prize. She is a frequent keynote speaker at global conferences on food systems, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.