ASEAN-CGIAR Regional Program receives additional A$ 1 Million Australia funding

The Australian Government has announced additional funding of A$ 1 Million to the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program as part of its commitment to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems in the ASEAN region and its member countries.

JAKARTA, 7 September 2023 – As most of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states continue to navigate their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, many recognize the persistent issue of access to healthy and nutritious food as a barrier to achieving the 2025 global nutrition targets. In addition to issues on diets and nutrition, much of the food system issues in the region also include rapid land use change, poverty, and climate change. Throughout the years, CGIAR research centers have been actively engaged in the work of the member states to transform agri-food systems and achieve food security.

In support of ASEAN programs and projects related to food and nutrition security in the region, the Australian Government is supporting the work related to food and nutrition security through sharing expertise and funding innovations for transformation. During the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit in Indonesia, the government of Australia emphasized this support by committing an additional A$1 Million, through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program.

ACIAR CEO Professor Wendy Umberger says that the Australian Government is very pleased to support this new mode of developing and implementing research. “The research partnership with ASEAN means that the research can have impact on regional issues that need collective action. This modality will help address the kinds of food system challenges that don’t obey country boundaries and need a shared vision from ASEAN Member States. This approach will ensure that…