 I'm very happy to be here. We are interested in this conference because we are developing very much pest control strategies in rice. My experience here has been very good because I have met colleagues from Erie, from other African countries. I come to the conference to Erie and to learn some experience from other countries about rice. Rice Congress, we have the many improved technology in my country. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me in welcoming His Excellency Minister Lawrence Wong, National Development Minister of Singapore. Agriculture and climate change are of course deeply intertwined. Climate change poses a threat to food production but at the same time, agriculture itself is a sector that generates high amounts of carbon emissions. Some startups have ventured into food signs. For example, a startup in Singapore called Alchemy Food Tag has developed a product that can be added to rice to lower its glycemic index and thus lower the risk of diabetes. And they do this without altering the taste, appearance or texture of the rice. I wanted to use the time to zoom in to a certain extent on the vital role of innovation, how innovation can help small holders, farmers to feed the world. Representatives, on the pillar in front of each of you is a sustainability button. On my count, may I ask you to seal your commitment to this global call by together pressing the sustainability button. Ready? Three, two, one, go! All of our representatives for heeding this global call, I would now like to invite you to return to your seats. Singapore is an iconic place to hold a conference that will examine the future of rice value chains. Across the majority of rice producing countries, rapid urbanization is creating new rice markets. I like to call agriculture angry business and as active business that is the main focus of the majority of African countries and their African households.