On April 7, 2017 Ronnie Coffman delivered a keynote address entitled "Agricultural Engagement in Asia and Lessons for Successful Partnerships" as part of the conference, Sustainability in Asia: Partnerships for Research and Implementation, which took place April 6-7 at the Cordis Hotel, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The conference brought together international scholars, scientists, practitioners, and policy influencers from the United States and Asia who are working to advance sustainable practices and solutions in the face of climate change, increased energy needs, and the specter of slower economic growth.
Ronnie Coffman serves as International Professor of Plant Breeding and Director of International Programs of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. He also serves as Principal Investigator of the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSPII), the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project, the Agricultural Innovations Partnership, and the NextGen Cassava Project. Coffman`s work has been important to the development of improved rice varieties grown on several million hectares throughout the world. He is the recipient of the 2013 World Agriculture Prize.