Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has once again marked a significant milestone in advancing the global dialogue on food sustainability through the successful organization of the 2nd Food Sustainability and Security: An International Conference (FUSE 2.0).

Themed “Blue and Green Frontiers: Transforming Challenges into Global Solutions,” the event from 23 – 24 September brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals from diverse backgrounds.

The conference was graced by three distinguished keynote speakers from government, academia, and international institutions. Their thought-provoking lectures set the tone for dynamic exchanges of knowledge and research ideas that spanned multiple disciplines and continents.

Dato’ Luqman bin Ahmad, Deputy Secretary-General (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Malaysia, highlighted national policies and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening food resilience. Prof. Dr. Lan Kuo-Wei from the National Taiwan Ocean University delivered insights into the intersection of fisheries and climate change, while Prof. Dr. Amin Mousavi Khaneghah from ITMO University, Russia, discussed emerging frontiers in food safety and biotechnology.

The two-day event featured oral and poster presentations, as well as online sharing sessions, addressing various aspects of sustainable food systems.

The subthemes encompassed advanced technologies, aquaculture and fisheries, blue economy, food innovation, policy and governance, education, and community empowerment, reflecting the conference’s comprehensive approach toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event also coincided with the 12th East Asia Fisheries and Technology Association (EAFTA) Symposium, further strengthening regional cooperation and scholarly exchange in fisheries and food technology.

Selected papers from FUSE 2025 will be published in indexed journals, including the Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Q3), Italian Journal of Food Science (Q2), and Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops and Food (Q1), to ensure the conference outcomes continue to contribute to the global scientific community.

FUSE 2.0 was jointly organized by three UMT entities, namely the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), the Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science (FSPA), and the Faculty of Food Science and Agriculture (FSMA). Each played a vital role in bringing together expertise from aquaculture, fisheries, food science, and agricultural disciplines.

In his officiating speech, UMT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim commended the collaborative efforts of the co-organizers in uniting experts and scholars from around the world.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ikhwanuddin bin Abdullah, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), who presented awards to outstanding presenters and expressed appreciation to all participants and partners.

FUSE 2.0 succeeded in achieving its goal of transforming scientific discussions into actionable strategies. The event not only strengthened global partnerships but also demonstrated Malaysia’s growing role in promoting sustainable and secure food systems for the future.