In transition: Bridging innovative efforts to Asia-Pacific's food systems transformation
Amid the growing geopolitical pressures and persistent climate change-induced challenges affecting food systems across the Asia Pacific, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT continues to steer regional conversations seeking to achieve food and nutrition security by fast-tracking transitions toward regenerative agriculture.
- Climate Action
- food security
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In transition: Bridging innovative efforts to Asia-Pacific's food systems transformation
Amid the growing geopolitical pressures and persistent climate change-induced challenges affecting food systems across the Asia Pacific, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT continues to steer regional conversations seeking to achieve food and nutrition security by fast-tracking transitions toward regenerative agriculture.
Under the Philippines’ Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, regional priorities to sustainably transform food systems have since shifted to accelerating the adoption of regenerative and resilient agriculture systems. The regional bloc, through the ASEAN Secretariat, is currently developing guidelines for the implementation of the framework across its 11 member states.
Asia Managing Director Stephan Weise, who co-leads the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program, provided crucial regional insights to inform strategic pillars, priority actions, and implementation mechanisms of the regenerative and resilient agriculture systems. The two-day consultation workshop in Hanoi on 9-10 April integrated key lessons and milestones reached during the first phase of the ASEAN-CGIAR program, identifying pathways to align future collaborative efforts to the eventual implementation of the systems approach in Southeast Asia.
Launched in 2023, the program aimed to respond to the complex and interconnected challenges disrupting the critical role of the region’s agrifood systems in shaping global food and nutrition security efforts. The regional program spans eight intervention areas targeted to strengthen climate resilience, advance circular and sustainable food systems, and support post-pandemic recovery and long-term transformation across the region.
Demand-drive innovations
For over the three years, the ASEAN-CGIAR regional program has developed a portfolio of 39 scalable innovations in key areas that include regenerative agriculture, climate-neutral and circular production, agrobiodiversity, enhanced value chains, transboundary pests and diseases, financing, irrigation, and climate-resilient agri-food systems, and health and nutrition.
“These innovations are shaped by country demand and priorities, ensuring they respond to real-world needs across diverse agri-food systems,” IRRI Senior Scientist and Program Director Dr. Kazuki Saito said.
