With the European Union (EU) as co-presenter, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) will push for a more resilient Philippine food industry at the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Exhibition and Conference 2025.
CITEM’s flagship initiative promoting sustainable practices and resources, SSX will debut as a physical event on May 22–24, 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. It will be located at the Sustainability Hall within the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2025, the country’s premier international food trade show. This move is set to boost the platform’s visibility, underscoring CITEM’s commitment to sustainability and circularity in the food industry.
The SSX exhibition will connect entrepreneurs with industry leaders and sustainable solutions providers, showcasing innovations in sustainable food production, packaging, and distribution. It will also feature business matching and pitching sessions to prompt collaborations among industry stakeholders.
The conference will run from May 22-23, 2025 at the neighboring Pasay City headquarters of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC). The PTTC Global SME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) is CITEM's Training and Event Partner for SSX 2025.
The sessions will explore topics aligned with this year’s theme, “Green Innovations: Navigating Sustainability Solutions to Future-Proof the Food Industry.” Discussions will focus on building a circular food system, and tackle challenges and opportunities in the food value chain, such as agriculture, food production, packaging, and waste management.
Moreover, the event will align the food sector with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Philippine Development Plan, the European Union (EU)-Philippines Green Economy Partnership.
In addition to official sessions, business breakout sessions will be open to delegates. These will feature experts' presentations on new solutions and strategies to capacitate entrepreneurs for sustainable trade and exporting. Another breakout session will be dedicated to consumers and advocates, whose speakers will cover environmental policies, conscious consumerism, waste management–measures that will drive sustainable lifestyles and community engagement.
The two-day Conference will feature local and international experts, including European Union (EU) Delegation-Head of Cooperation Marco Gemmer; Deputy Regional Director Asia of the Global Green Growth Institute Marcel Silvius; Expertise France Project Leader Marie Maylis Charlat; Chief Farmer and Head Farm Consultant of FarmYields Inc. Carlomagno Aguilar; German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Senior Advisor Dr. Juan Alfonso Leonardia and other distinguished speakers.
Organized by CITEM, SSX was conceived to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME’s) transition to a circular economy. The event aims to boost entrepreneurs’ global competitiveness and promote adherence to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). SSX began with great promise, with the 2022 digital launch drawing delegates, suppliers, and speakers from 31 countries. The event consisted of 20 segments held across three days.
Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) 2025 is co-presented by the European Union (EU) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as part of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership. Co-organizing the event are GIZ and Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute. The event is also co-presented by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Take your place alongside innovators, policymakers, and advocates building a resilient food industry. Visit sustainability.ph now to register as a delegate to SSX 2025.
About CITEM
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM advances the country’s image as a premier sourcing destination for quality export products and services. It remains steadfast in setting the highest standards of creativity, excellence, and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, sustainability, electronics, and health information management services sectors. CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.
About the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership
Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership will run from 2023–2028 in collaboration with the government of the Philippines, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to foster a circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste. It also aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through technology transfers and investments, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.
Implemented by Germany’s development agency GIZ, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute, UNDP Philippines, and the International Finance Corporation – a member of the World Bank Group, the programme is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative – the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others.