Excerpt: The discussion highlights the opportunities to transform the country’s food systems, including the sectors of agriculture, food, fisheries, and environment.
01 March 2022 (Vientiane, Lao PDR) – To understand the needs of Lao PDR’s food systems, key stakeholders of the country’s agriculture, food, fisheries and environment sectors including government officials and researchers collaborated in a national technical consultation held on 01 March 2022. This is the first in a series of in-country consultation workshops to be conducted across the ASEAN region.
The workshop was facilitated by CGIAR, a global partnership of international organizations engaged in research for development on food, land and water systems. One CGIAR is the dynamic reformulation of CGIAR’s capabilities, knowledge, assets, people, and global presence for a new era of interconnected and partnership-driven research towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lao PDR Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Deputy Minister Kikeo Singnavong joined the event, highlighting the country’s dedication and commitment to identify opportunities for transforming their country’s food systems within the ASEAN context. Given that food system sustainability is a key development goal for Lao PDR, the importance of working together to benefit Lao citizens throughout the country should be emphasized.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the agricultural sector and the food chain in the region. At the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), the Ministers emphasized the importance of investing in development in the agricultural sector, especially the rice research work of One CGIAR and related donors,” said Deputy Minister Kikeo Singnavong during the event.
“In light of this, I believe that the National Technical Consultation Meeting on ASEAN – One CGIAR Research and Development Project will make a significant contribution to the implementation…