A joint research initiative of IFPRI, the Makerere University in Uganda and ZEF on environmental management options and delivery mechanisms to reduce malaria transmission in Uganda shows encouraging results: outcomes can be improved when the health sector joins forces with agriculture in the country.

ZEF participated in the 3-day Chinese-German kick-off meeting of the new DELIGHT project. The meeting was held at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, mid May.

ZEF is very proud that it has been granted the National Energy Globe Award Uzbekistan 2013 with its project "Economic and Ecological Restructuring of Land- and Water Use in the Region Khorezm, Uzbekistan”. The Energy Globe Award is one of the world's largest platforms for sustainability.

The Montpellier Panel, consisting of high-ranking international experts in the fields of agricultural and natural resources research, has published its annual "Panel Report". They suggest focussing on sustainable intensification as a new paradigm to tackle food insecurity. More information here.

ZEF participated in the 2nd Scientific Conference of the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) on the "Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas", held in Bonn, April 9-12, 2013.

ZEF's project "Economic and Ecological Restructuring of Land- and Water Use in the Region Khorezm, Uzbekistan” has won the National Energy Globe Award Uzbekistan 2013. The Energy Globe Award is one of the world's largest platforms for sustainability.

Joachim von Braun addressed the German Food Industry at their annual meeting in Cologne on March 19, 2013. He pointed out that industry could do a lot more in overcoming under-nutrition and suggested rethinking the industry’s strategic directions.

Professor Oded Stark, Distinguished Fellow of ZEF, received the Doctor honoris causa degree of the University of Warsaw. The ceremony took place at the University of Warsaw on March 21, 2013.

The new Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Dr. Jeremy Bird, visited ZEF on February 27th.

He met with ZEF senior staff and discussed opportunities for cooperation with ZEF Director Joachim von Braun.

An international workshop on “Food price volatility and food security” co-organized by ZEF and IFPRI took place at ZEF in Bonn January 31 - February 1, 2013. Leading international experts and junior researchers shared and discussed their findings on the much debated volatility and speculation issues in food markets. Volatility matters especially for the poor. For the workshop summary and links to presentations and short videos see

Around 30 international experts will meet at ZEF from January 31-February 1, 2013 to discuss the latest scientific insights into the issues of price volatility and food security. ZEF is looking forward to a productive meeting.

ZEF has been listed again among the world wide leading think tanks:

In the 2012 Pennsylvania ranking ZEF is among the 10 best “Science and Technology Think Tanks” and the 20 best “University Affiliated Think Tanks” (see http://www.gotothinktank.com).

ZEF co-organized a workshop with stakeholders and researchers in Kampala, Uganda, in December 2012. The aim was to develop more effective strategies for the fight against malaria by linking them to environmental management options.