©FAO/Rathany Than

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – A high-level delegation from Cambodia is expected to join government Ministers and officials from 46 Asia-Pacific countries next month (8 – 11 March) to address the damage done to economies and livelihoods in the food and agriculture sectors, by the global pandemic, animal and crop diseases, and the ongoing disruption caused by the climate crisis.   

Advancing the application of innovation, science and digitalization to help an agrifood systems transformation in the world’s biggest and hungriest region is among the main points for consideration.

The 36^th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific(#APRC36), convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will be hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, in the capital Dhaka. Her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, will welcome delegates to the Conference, which is convened in Hybrid modality.

International, regional and national media may also participate, either in-person or virtually (a media registration link is here).

The Issues at Hand

While a significant focus of #APRC36 deliberations will be on COVID-19 recovery efforts, the Ministers and Officials attending #APRC36 will also consider responses to both emerging and ongoing issues.

On the table for discussion will be future responses to longstanding threats to livestock such as Avian Influenza, African swine fever and weakened immune responses caused by inappropriate and overuse of antimicrobials in animal production.

Ways and means to mitigate reoccurring threats to plants and crops, such as Locusts and Fall Armyworm will also be examined. Ecosystem responses in the Pacific Islands is another top priority.

Implementing the new FAO strategy on dealing with climate change as well as opportunities that are emerging from applications of innovation, science and digitalization in the food and agriculture sectors to provide solutions will form a major part of the discussions.

Ultimately, the goal will be to reach a consensus that balances the needs of people, domestic animals, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems through One Health approaches.  

In-depth explanation of all of these topics is available here and more information about the #APRC36 can be found on the Conference Website homepage.

The Conclusions

Ultimately, the aim of the Conference is to build back better, with Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all – leaving no one behind. The 46 Member Nations in Asia and the Pacific, as FAO’s regional Governing Body, will set in motion a two-year course of work for the FAO Regional Office and its technical specialists, through direction of a set of prioritized country and regional needs.

Media Invited

International, regional and national news agencies wishing to accredit journalists to cover the event, or arrange interviews in advance with specialists about the issues at hand, either in-person or virtually, may do so by sending a request to the #APRC36 Conference Information Officer. The registration link is here.

Contacts:

1. Allan Dow, FAO Regional Communications Officer (Asia-Pacific)
2. Tet Chann, Communications Officer, FAO in Cambodia