ASEAN-CGIAR Program advances food and nutrition security in ASEAN

November 13, 2024 – The ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program recently visited the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributing efforts to strengthen ASEAN-CGIAR collaboration. During the visit, the program’s delegations met with H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Economic Community, and Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Assistant Director of the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Division.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the program’s progress, discuss future plans, and explore potential avenues for collaboration. Dr. Jongsoo Shin, Director of the ASEAN-CGIAR Program shared the latest updates on the program’s progress, key achievements in the past year including its multi-center collaborative approach, and plans for the next phase. The importance of scaling up impactful interventions, particularly in the areas prioritized by the ASEAN Member States and donor partners, was highlighted.

H.E. Singh emphasized the need to shift towards regenerative agriculture as a cornerstone of ASEAN’s agricultural sector. This approach aims to improve farm efficiency, reduce chemical use, enhance farmer livelihoods, and decrease the carbon footprint in agriculture. Focusing on regenerative practices will create a more sustainable and resilient food system.

The discussion also covered various aspects of program sustainability including exploring opportunities with regional and multilateral partners. H.E. Singh stressed the significance of securing ASEAN’s endorsement for funding opportunities and expressed support for developing a comprehensive plan for the program’s future.

In addition to the meeting with ASEAN Secretariat officials, the ASEAN-CGIAR Program engaged with its key funders, such as Australia, United Kingdom, and Japan as well as missions and development partners from the Netherlands, USA, and EU. Appreciating the key achievements of the program, there was a strong consensus among partners on the importance of sustainable agriculture in addressing food and nutrition security in the ASEAN region.

The ASEAN-CGIAR Program is poised to enter its next phase, with a focus on scaling up successful initiatives and addressing emerging challenges. By fostering strong partnerships with governments, international organizations, and the private sector, the program aims to continue to make a significant impact on food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture in the ASEAN region.