The symposium will be delivered across two six-hour sessions to support participation from different regions. Presentations will be pre-recorded and followed by live panel discussions and audience Q&A.
Program and speakers are subject to change.
14:00 - 20:00 AEDT | 03:00 - 09:00 UTC | 23:00, 12 October - 05:00, 13 October EDT (USA)
| Time (AEDT) | Session details |
|---|---|
14:00 – 14:15 | Welcome and symposium aimsAn introduction to the symposium, the OECD Co-operative Research Programme and the importance of international cooperation in the regulation of RNAi-based pesticides. Speakers
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14:15 – 16:15 | Session 1: The state of the art in RNAi-based pesticides — Part 1This session will examine scientific advances since the 2019 OECD conference, including dsRNA construct design, target efficacy, biosafety, risk assessment and emerging approaches to pest management. Speakers
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16:15 – 16:45 | Live panel discussion and audience Q&ASpeakers from Session 1 will respond to questions and discuss the opportunities and challenges emerging from recent scientific advances. |
16:45 – 17:15 | Break |
17:15 –19:15 | Session 2: Safety, regulation and social contextThis session will explore the scientific, regulatory, policy and social considerations influencing the development and adoption of RNAi-based pesticides. Topics will include safety assessment, predictive off-target analysis, regulatory pathways, governance and public acceptance. Speakers
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19:15 – 19:45 | Live panel discussion and audience Q&ASession speakers will discuss approaches to effective, evidence-based and internationally aligned regulation. |
19:45 – 20:00 | Day 1 conclusion |
06:00 - 12:00 AEDT | 19:00, 13 October - 01:00, 14 October UTC | 15:00 - 21:00, 13 October EDT (USA
| Time (AEDT) | Session details |
|---|---|
06:00 – 06:15 | Welcome and recap of Day 1A summary of the major themes and discussions from the first day of the symposium. Speakers
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06:15–08:15 | Session 3: The state of the art in RNAi-based pesticides — Part 2Continuing the examination of scientific progress since 2019, this session will focus on RNA transport and uptake, formulation, delivery, crop protection applications and strategies for optimising RNAi performance. Speakers
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08:15–08:45 | Live panel discussion and audience Q&ASession speakers will respond to questions and discuss the translation of RNA biology into practical crop-protection technologies. |
08:45–10:45 | Session 4: Industry perspectives and commercialisationIndustry and regulatory experts will discuss the pathway from scientific discovery to commercial application, including dsRNA manufacturing, product development, regulatory navigation and the practical challenges of bringing RNAi-based products to market. Speakers
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10:45–11:15 | Live panel discussion and audience Q&AA discussion of commercial readiness, manufacturing, investment, regulation and the future market for RNAi-based pesticides. |
11:15–11:45 | Closing remarks and symposium conclusionThe symposium will conclude with reflections on the major themes, areas of emerging consensus and priorities for future international collaboration. |
11:45–12:00 | Program buffer and closeTiming retained within the advertised six-hour session. |
Sponsored by the OECD Co-operative Research Programme: Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems
This event is hosted by Charles Sturt University in partnership with CSIRO and The University of Queensland.
The Event was sponsored by the OECD, under its Co-operative Research Programme: Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems, whose financial support made it possible for some of the invited speakers to participate in the Event. The opinions expressed and arguments employed are those of the invited speakers. This work, as well as any data and map included herein, should not be reported as representing the views of OECD Member countries or the OECD Secretariat.