The Thirty-fifth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC 35), 1 – 4 September 2020, was convened virtually, on an exceptional basis, in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health concerns. The move to a virtual format followed consultations with the FAO Director-General, the Regional Groups representing member nations, and with the concurrence of the Host Country, Bhutan.

The Conference was conducted on the Zoom videoconferencing platform, using the ‘Meeting’ format. Some 750 delegates joined the virtual event. It was FAO’s first regional conference conducted entirely in virtual mode.  Participation in the Zoom Conference was by Invitation only, but the Conference was webcast for public viewing.

Thirty-fifth Session of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference

Please visit the List of Documents page* for the entire list of official documents.

Report of the Thirty-fifth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.  | 中文|  Français | Русский |

Provisional Annotated Agenda Rev.2 | Provisional Timetable Rev. 2 | Provisional List of Documents Rev.2 | Information Note 

APRC 35 was a forum to discuss current country and regional priorities and  pressing issues in the region such as the impact of COVID-19, the state of agriculture, natural resources management, food security and nutrition. It was also an opportunity to highlight examples of partnerships, innovation and digital technologies that are helping to improve food security and nutrition across the region as well as regional and global policy and regulatory matters.

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Director-General decided, in consultation with the Royal Government of Bhutan, and discussion with the Regional Group, to convene the 35th Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in a virtual modality from 1 to 4 September 2020.

*Cover pages of documents already prepared and published retain the original date and location of the meeting. These documents remain relevant and current for the rescheduled virtual modality of the Regional Conference of 1-4 September 2020. Documents released after agreement on the new dates will show the updated cover page.

Given the decision to hold the 35th Session of the Conference in virtual mode, substantive consideration of several agenda items were undertaken by a written correspondence procedure. Questions, comments or responses to any documentation by participants were received by email and then posted on the Regional Dialogue Area


Statements, Speeches and Interventions


APRC 35 in the News

Op-Ed by QU Dongyu, Director General of FAO. Fighting two pandemics hand in hand in Asia and the Pacific. online at:

Associated Press Syndicated Report. Pandemic Brings Hard Times for Farmers, Worsening Hunger,  online at:

IN OTHER NEWS

Bangkok Post. Minister makes food hygiene pledge

BBS. Towards achieving greater result in agriculture and food security, MoAF proposes enhancing FAO office

Siam Rath. Thailand vows at ARPC to fight for food security amid COVID-19 crisis 

Siam Hotline News (Thai). Thailand vows to deal with global food crisis

Thansettakij (Thai). Thailand makes food security pledges at FAO 

New Spotlight Online. Nepal. FAO Member Nations In Asia And The Pacific To Chart A Course For Securing Food Security

ColomboPage. Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka to take part in FAO conference for food security and mitigating effects of COVID-19 and Climate Change on agriculture

BusinessLine. India. India managed Covid-19 induced food insecurity well, says Agri ministry officials at FAO meeting

Iran Daily. Iran. Iran among Asian nations discussing challenges in the agricultural sector

Tasnim News. Iran. Iran, Asian Nations Discuss Ways to Tackle Challenges in Rural Areas

IRIB news agency: https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2809135 (Persian)

Shabestan news agency: http://shabestan.ir/detail/News/966574 (Persian)

Sina Press: https://sinapress.ir/news/106198 (Persian) 

Mehr news agency: https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5012391 (Persian)

Fars news agency: https://www.farsnews.ir/news/13990610000845 (Persian)

Sistema Integral de Comunicación, Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal La Conferencia Regional de la FAO para Asia y el Pacífico examina las respuestas y la labor de recuperación en relación con la COVID-19 y el hambre

Countries in Asia-Pacific convene virtual UN FAO conference to plan responses and recovery work on twin pandemics of COVID-19 and hunger

Kuensel:

RGOB.MOAF webpage:

T.Newsman007Online (Thai). Chalermchai announced at FAO 35th ARPC Thailand is ready to drive food system and sustainability to deal with COVID-19 crisis

Kaset1009.com (Thai Language Agri News Website). MOAC minister vows during FAO conference to fight for food security 

ISNA. Asia-Pacific countries pledge bold, innovative action for food security, livelihoods

IRNA. Iranian minister briefs Asia-Pacific conference on Iran’s agricultural achievements

Tehran Times Daily. Iran calls for global scientific capacities to rebound from COVID-19 damage

Iran Daily. Iran has followed strategies for food security: Khavazi

FARS News Agency. FAO: COVID-19, Rising Hunger, Climate Change Urgently Need to Be Battled Back in Asia, Pacific

Tabnak News (Persian).https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1000439

Pandemic; FAO Urges Resilience Food System, Indonesia Highlights 4 Priorities

Antara News. Securing regional food resilience dominates agenda at FAO meet

Antara News. Asia-Pacific nations plan COVID-19 response for addressing hunger: FAO

Tribun bisnis (Indonesian). Jaga Ketahanan Pangan di Tengah Pandemi, Ini yang Akan Dilakukan Mentan

Ini 4 Prioritas Mentan Jaga Ketahanan Pangan di Tengah Pandemi

Republika (Indonesian) Mentan Soroti 4 Prioritas Hadapi Pandemi di Konferensi FAO

Anatara News (Indonesian). Konferensi APRC FAO, Mentan paparkan empat strategi perkuat pangan

Anatara News. (Indoneisan). Konferensi FAO, Mentan soroti pertumbuhan PDB Pertanian Indonesia

Anatara News. (Indonesian). FAO serukan pentingnya sistem pangan yang lebih tangguh

Anatara Banten. (Indonesian). Konferensi APRC FAO, Mentan paparkan empat strategi perkuat pangan

Telaah.id. (Indonesian). Mentan Tegaskan Komitmen Ketahanan Pangan di Konferensi FAO

Harianaceh.(Indonesian). Mentan Tegaskan Komitmen Ketahanan Pangan di Konferensi FAO

World News (Indonesian). Konferensi FAO, Mentan soroti pertumbuhan PDB Pertanian Indonesia

MediaIndonesia (Indonesian). Indonesia Tegaskan Komitmen Ketahanan Pangan dalam Forum SOM APRC

Bewara (Indonesian). Konferensi FAO, Menteri Pertanian Tawarkan 4 Prioritas di Masa Normal Baru

Berita Becara Network. (Indonesian). FAO serukan pentingnya sistem pangan yang lebih tangguh

SinarHarapan. (Indonesian). FAO Dorong Sistem Pangan yang Lebih Tangguh, Indonesia Sodorkan Empat Prioritas Hadapi Pandemi

IJN News. (Indonesian). FAO serukan pentingnya sistem pangan yang lebih tangguh

IPRCC. Asia- Pacific countries hold virtual UN FAO conference on COVID-19 and hunger

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Sina News http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2020-09-01/doc-iivhvpwy4340029.shtml

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China.com(Chinese).http://guoqing.china.com.cn/2020-09/03/content_76667008.htm

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iQilu News https://sd.iqilu.com/v7/share/article/7080915.html

Farmer’s Daily http://fx.farmer.com.cn/share/news/detail_index.html?contentType=5&contentId=14170&cId=0&we-media=1&fromFlag=2

ChinaNews (Chinese).http://www.cns.com.cn/gj/2020/09-04/9282867.shtml

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Agricultural Products Trading Information Platform of the Ministry of Commerce of China (Chinese). http://nc.mofcom.gov.cn/article/ywkx/snxw/202009/978223.html

*Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (Chinese).
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Business Today. Food security risks in COVID-19 hit Asia-Pacific countries; UN holds meet

Agri Nation. At FAO Conference, India praises its efforts for food security during COVID 19

United Nations in Myanmar. Countries in Asia-Pacific convene virtual UN FAO conference to plan responses and recovery work on twin pandemics of COVID-19 and hunger

The News Today. Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference held to address COVID-19’s impact

Tribune. Pakistan needs to digitalise agri sector

The News. Pakistan has made notable progress in agriculture sector, FAO conference told

Urdu Point. FAO's Regional Conference Held To Address COVID-19's Impacts 

Radio Pakistan. FAO’s Regional Conference held to address COVID-19’s impacts

Times of Khyber.Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference hosted virtually by Bhutan to address COVID-19’s impact in Asia and the Pacific

AP Pakistan.FAO’s Regional Conference held to address COVID-19’s impacts

Tribal News Network. FAO Conference highlights importance of supporting livelihoods of the most vulnerable

The Reporter. Syed Fakhar Imam National Food Security and Research Represents Pakistan in FAO’s Asia Pacific Regional Conference

The Statesman. Pakistan participates in FAO's Regional Conference

Sunrise Today. Pakistan participates in FAO Regional Conference on Covid-19

The News. COVID-19 impact: FAO moot highlights importance of supporting livelihoods of most vulnerable people

Daily Times. Regional moot discusses impacts of Covid-19

Balochistan Express. FAO's Regional Conference held to address COVID-19's impact

MENAFN. Pakistan- FAO Conference highlights importance of supporting livelihoods of the most vulnerable

Pakistan Observer. Pakistan participates in FAP Moot held to Address COVID-19 Impacts

Pakistan Press International. Syed Fakhar Imam participated in 35th virtual session of FAO Asia and Pacific Regional Conference

MG Link News. FAO’s Regional Conference held to address COVID-19’s impacts

Press Information Department. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Government of Pakistan. PR No. 20 SYED FAKHAR IMAM PARTICIPATED IN 35TH VIRTUAL SESSION OF FAO ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE. Islamabad: September 03, 2020

Voice of Freedom. Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference to address COVID-19’s impact in Asia

Newswire International. Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference

Pukhtun. COVID-19 impact : Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference hosted virtually by Bhutan

Daily Country News.Pakistan participates in FAO’s Regional Conference hosted virtually by Bhutan

Viet Nam News Agency (Vietnamese). Việt Nam nêu các vấn đề của nông nghiệp tại Hội nghị FAO khu vực

TTXVN (Vietnamese). Việt Nam cùng các nước trong khu vực ứng phó thảm họa kép 

The World & Viet Nam Report (Vietnamese).  An ninh lương thực trong đại dịch Covid-19: Cần tư duy và hành động mới ngăn chặn thảm họa kép

Thanhnien. (Vietnamese).Việt Nam và các nước ứng phó thảm họa kép - dịch Covid-19 và nạn đói 

Dangcongsan. (Vietnamese). FAO tổ chức hội nghị ứng phó với COVID-19 và nạn đói 

Thoibao Nganhang. (Vietnamese). Hội nghị FAO lên kế hoạch ứng phó và khắc phục hậu quả của Covid-19 và nạn đói

Baothainguyen. (Vietnamese). FAO tổ chức hội nghị ứng phó với COVID-19 và nạn đói

Baobaohiemxaho. (Vietnamese). Việt Nam tham gia ứng phó thảm họa kép đại dịch Covid-19 và nạn đói

Thuong hieu san pham (Vietnamese).  Viet Nam chung tay ung pho tham hoa kep

Mizzima. FAO advice on agriculture & food security during COVID-19 for Myanmar

Sri Lanka Business News. Sri Lanka highlights need for innovation and digital agriculture solutions at virtual FAO Asia Pacific Regional Conference