A high-level meeting to explore diverse bioeconomy opportunities and collaboration mechanisms in Southeast Asia as part of the region’s move toward an agrifood system transformation, opened today in the Thai capital, Bangkok. This hybrid event has been organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the support of Thailand’s National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC).

The event has attracted more than 100 high-level participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The deliberations are focusing on bioeconomy-related issues in all food and agricultural sectors of Southeast Asia. The aim is to assist in accelerating the momentum of bioeconomy-related initiatives, to help boost and sustain growth in Southeast Asia, which is a dynamic economic hub.

The meeting heard how bioeconomy can harness the power of bioscience, biotechnology and innovations to address different challenges. During the opening session, Robert Simpson, FAO’s Special Advisor and Regional Programme Leader said, “Bioeconomy provides a range of mitigating opportunities, particularly in the field of agriculture, with the use of science, technology and innovation to transform agrifood systems and imperative of food security and nutrition.”

Kanchana Wanichkorn, Director of Sectoral Development, ASEAN Secretariat said “Bioeconomy offers transformative potential to sustainably redefine our agricultural and food systems and shared Bioeconomy-related policies and initiatives in the region. Junpen Meka-apiruk, Chief Inspector General, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology & Innovation, Thailand Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology & Innovation, Thailand shared the overview of the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model which is Thailand’s strategy for national development and post-pandemic recovery introduced by Thai government. It targets four main sectors: agriculture and food, wellness and medicine, energy, materials, and biochemicals, and tourism and the creative economy.

Sukit Limpijumnong, President, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand emphasized the importance and how bio-innovation has contributed to accelerating Thailand’s bioeconomy growth. Sukit highlighted, "By harnessing the potential of bio-innovations, we can address complex challenges and drive economic growth.”

Illias Animon, FAO’s focal point for Bioeconomy for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighted the need of working more closely together with the bioeconomy partners in Southeast Asia and FAO, which is the first and, so far, the only UN agency to elevate bioeconomy as a strategic priority.

This event is the first in a series to share knowledge and discuss how to move forward with a more joint and shared vision to scale up bioeconomy in the region, including through a Regional Bioeconomy Summit in 2025, which is being discussed among partners.