Virtual Seminar
5 May 2020 at 1500 hrs Bangkok (GMT + 7hrs)

Co-hosted by IRRI and FAO

Watch the seminar here: https://youtu.be/-UlEvXXJy7o  

Background

Since it was declared pandemic by WHO on 11 March, COVID-19 has affected over 200 countries and territories around the globe. It has forced many countries to imposed lock down or other measures to limit people to people contact and movement. Schools, offices and airports are closed down. The full impact of the pandemic is yet to be known but for sure it will cause major repercussions to the food systems.    

Safeguarding food security is critical during the pandemic. Farmers need to continue to produce foods, distribute them and ensure that access to markets are not compromised. However, the situations are different from country to country and challenges to maintain well-functioning food systems are huge. 

Governments across Southeast Asia, one of the most fast-growing regions in the world, are called to take appropriate policy measures to ensure the continuity of food systems to serve the people, including the poor, the most vulnerable segment of our society.

The key questions of the seminar are:

-          What are the challenges of the food systems amid COVID-19?

-          How can we safeguard food systems in the short and long-term?

-          What policy measure should be taken to protect the food systems?

Objective

The main objective of the online seminar is to share information among organizations and institutions on the impact of COVID-19 to the food systems in Southeast Asia. It is also a forum to discuss initiatives that have been taken so far; and what can be done in the future in Southeast Asia.  

 Structure of the program

The event is a moderated seminar that will bring together prominent speakers from FAO, ADB, ASEAN, private sector and IRRI – see proposed speakers in the draft program below. It consists of 4 parts:

• Each presenter will be given max 7 minutes presentation at the beginning of the program. The use of PPT is not allowed.
• It will then be followed up with Q&A moderated by a facilitator. Each presenter will receive 1 question from the moderator. They will be given the question to be asked to them prior to the event.
• On the third part, participants ask questions to the resource people.
• Finally, at the end there will be a short analysis of way forward

Program (Draft)