ASEAN, BIMSTEC experts focus on new initiatives on agri-food systems

As Asia's agri-food systems undergo rapid transformation, researchers and experts from countries across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries met in a two-day Policy Roundtable and Inception Workshop in Jakarta to discuss shared challenges and new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive agricultural development, says a press release.

The event that took place on 4-5 August in the Indonesian capital, was jointly organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Network of Policy Advisors and Analysts (NePAA).

The event formally launched a new regional initiative, 'Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation' in the ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries (ATMI-II), aimed at helping countries in ASEAN and BIMSTEC design and implement policies that build inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-integrated food systems.

Addressing participants via a recorded message, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, emphasized the importance of collaboration across borders to advance resilient food systems. "Regional cooperation -- grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and sustainability -- is essential to addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in food and agriculture. Initiatives like ATMI-II are timely and vital in supporting this transformation," he said. Echoing this sentiment, Mr Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, emphasized the importance of collaborative regional action. "ATMI-II is a timely and significant step in our collective efforts to enhance farmer incomes, strengthen food and nutrition security, and build climate-resilient value chains. BIMSTEC remains committed to supporting regional cooperation and partnerships that drive agricultural transformation and economic growth for our people," he said. The initiative spans select ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam -- focusing on structural and institutional reforms that can foster more efficient and equitable agri-food markets.

Organised in two parts -- a high-level Policy Roundtable and a more technical Inception Workshop -- the event brought together senior representatives from the ASEAN and BIMSTEC Secretariats, IFAD, IFPRI, national governments, regional think tanks, and civil society actors.

The roundtable discussions explored challenges around smallholder inclusion, participation in regional value chains, and the design of climate-smart agricultural policy.

With over 30 representatives from government, civil society, academia, and regional institutions, the event set a collaborative tone for the next phase -- linking food systems transformation to broader regional goals of integration, resilience, and sustainability. The second day of the event will continue with technical sessions and collaborative agenda-setting discussions among key stakeholders.