Strengthening function as an international hub for providing strategic information on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and mobilizing new research partnerships
From April 9 to 10, 2026, the “First ASEAN Consultation Workshop and Capacity Building: Development of Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture Systems Implementation Plan and Biochar Guidelines,” an event co-hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) participated in the workshop at the invitation of the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) has added Japanese and English subtitles to the archive videos of the 2025 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (Japan Award) and the JIRCAS International Symposium 2025, and has released them on YouTube via the “JIRCAS Channel.”
A study by Teber et al. (2026), published in Nature Communications, analyzed the relationship between human development and disaster impacts using more than 7,000 climate-related disasters recorded across 154 countries between 1990 and 2020. The study found that disaster impacts are associated not only with hazard intensity but also with regional socioeconomic conditions. Even under comparable hazard conditions, regions with lower levels of human development tended to experience greater human losses.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released State of the Climate in Asia 2025. According to the report, Asia is warming at a faster rate than the global average. It also documents increasing climate-related risks, including marine heatwaves, glacier mass loss, sea-level rise, and extreme precipitation events. In particular, WMO identifies the expansion of marine heatwaves and glacier mass loss in High Mountain Asia as significant changes with potential implications for water resources, food production, and socioeconomic activities.
In June 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026. According to the report, global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024. Aquaculture has become the primary driver of growth in aquatic animal production, accounting for 53 percent of total output. At the same time, the report highlights continuing challenges related to the sustainability of marine fishery resources and disparities in food availability across regions. In response, FAO emphasizes the importance of the Blue Transformation initiative to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture systems.
A recent policy article published in Science highlights the importance of “indirect greenhouse gases” (iGHGs)—a category of climate-relevant substances that are not adequately accounted for in current climate policies and greenhouse gas inventories. The authors argue that compounds such as carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), which contribute to warming through atmospheric chemical reactions, should be incorporated into climate policy frameworks and emissions accounting systems. They also emphasize that a range of human activities, including agriculture and land use, can act as sources of iGHGs, underscoring the need for integrated approaches that link climate mitigation and air quality management.
Durian produced in Rayong Province is recognized for its high quality derived from the region’s unique geographical conditions, including climate and soil. As a result, it has been registered under Thailand’s geographical indication (GI) system as “Monthong Rayong Durian.” This certification protects the product as a regional brand and contributes to enhancing its added value.