ASEAN-CGIAR Program charts future course, emphasizing scalability and sustainability

Bangkok, Thailand – The ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program recently convened a meeting, bringing together key stakeholders to review progress and strategically plan for its next phases. The event brought together Intervention Package (IP) Conveners and the Programme Management Team to assess the achievements of the initial five-year period and lay the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at improving food and nutrition security across the ASEAN region.

A central component of the meeting involved a thorough evaluation of the progress made within each of the program’s eight IPs. IP Conveners delivered detailed updates, highlighting successes, openly addressing challenges encountered, and sharing valuable insights gathered from their experiences. This comprehensive review fostered a shared understanding among all participants regarding the interconnected nature of the various IPs, establishing a robust foundation for future collaborative endeavors.

Looking ahead, a significant portion of the agenda focused on the full-scale implementation of IP1+ in 2025. Following productive consultations, a dedicated session was held to develop a detailed work plan. This plan emphasizes the strategic alignment of IP1+’s activities with other IPs to maximize potential synergies. Discussions centered on the allocation of resources and the establishment of clear, measurable outcomes, with a strong emphasis on integrating gender and social inclusion and climate resilience throughout the work plan.

Equally important was the initiation of concept development for Phase 2 of the program, slated to commence in 2026. Deliberations revolved around a heightened focus on scaling successful innovations beyond the pilot stage, with a thematic emphasis on Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Resilience. A key feature of Phase 2 will be the strategic engagement of the private sector to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program’s impact. This strategy involves aligning incentives across the value chain to create benefits for producers, the private sector, and the achievement of national goals.

Dr. Jongsoo Shin, the Program Director, outlined a collaborative framework for Phase 2, emphasizing integrated demand-based solutions, scalability, mutual capacity building, strong ASEAN governance, and policy influence. Dr. Stephan Weise, the Program Co-director, further elaborated on the focus on Regenerative Agriculture, defining it as a comprehensive approach aimed at restoring and conserving vital resources while simultaneously building climate resilience and enhancing farm income. The critical need to integrate Gender and Social Inclusion into Phase 2 was also underscored, emphasizing equitable benefits, participation, and the utilization of gender-disaggregated data to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized groups.

The meeting served as a crucial platform for reflection, strategic planning, and enhanced collaboration. The program’s emphasis on scaling impactful solutions, embracing regenerative agriculture and climate resilience, and prioritizing gender and social inclusion signals a strong commitment to addressing the complex challenges of food and nutrition security in the ASEAN region in a sustainable and equitable manner. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to significantly shape the future direction of the ASEAN-CGIAR program, paving the way for meaningful and lasting impact across the region.