Taking place in Brussels, Belgium from October 9-13 2017, this year’s Summit is themed “Feeding a Hungry Planet”.

The gathering of young minds aims to address the UN Sustainability Goals of ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Sam was selected alongside two fellow Aussies, forming part of the 100-strong delegate cohort made up of young thought leaders hailing from 49 countries around the world.

To be considered for participation, prospective delegates were required to submit an essay of 1,500 words on the topic of food insecurity.

A total of 1,187 essays from 95 different countries were submitted; all of which were reviewed by a panel of industry experts.

“The Australian applicants put a lot of effort into their essays and we were really impressed with the overall calibre of this year’s entries,” Tobias Marchand, managing director of Bayer, said.

Sam submitted an essay that focused on the seemingly universal stigmas surrounding genetic modification and careers in agriculture as two critical stumbling blocks hindering food security.

“He shared a creative and passionate view on sustainable food security and agriculture and his contribution will form part of the basis for discussion at the Youth Ag-Summit.

“We look forward to Sam representing Australia later this year.”

Sam himself is excited to be involved in the international summit.

“It is humbling to have been selected as an Australian Youth Ag-Summit delegate and I’m looking forward to meeting fellow young people that love talking about agriculture as much as I do,” he said.

“I hope to gain a better understanding of different perspectives and new ways of thinking from young agricultural thought leaders from around the world.”

Follow the latest news for the summit and Sam Coggins’ journey on @YouthAgSummit or https://www.facebook.com/YouthAgSummit/.