Strengthening function as an international hub for providing strategic information on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and mobilizing new research partnerships
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has published a policy brief titled “Developing and promoting sustainable agricultural production and natural resources management technologies: Lessons from the FAO–JIRCAS collaboration” regarding its collaboration with the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). This policy brief introduces recent research achievements by JIRCAS across its programs in environment, food, and information, and systematically summarizes the partnership with FAO.
Kaset Fair 2026, an agricultural exhibition, is being held at Kasetsart University in Thailand from January 30 to February 7, 2026. Kaset Fair, Thailand's largest agricultural and food trade fair, is hosted annually by Kasetsart University. During the event, the university campus hosts a wide variety of exhibits, from research highlights related to the agriculture and food industry to sales of agricultural and food products, attracting many visitors.
This weekend marks two significant environmental observances: International Forest Day on March 21st, and World Water Day on March 22nd. Forests and water cycles are closely interconnected and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28th, and subsequent Iranian attacks across the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed, impacting global oil, natural gas, and fertilizer trade. The term "chokepoint" is used to refer to a critical point that restricts flow or movement. The US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), has analyzed the impact of the chokepoint in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the war with Iran on global food security through shocks to the global fertilizer and agricultural markets.
The sixth issue of the Green Asia Report Series, focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of small indigenous fish species, has been published. This report series aims to introduce scalable technologies that can be shared in the Asia-Monsoon region and contribute to food systems transformation in the region, by serving as a reference for various stakeholders, including government officials, researchers, extension officers, producers, and the private sector. The sixth issue, titled "Sustainable Use of Small Indigenous Fish Species for Nutritional and Livelihood Improvement in Inland Rural Areas of Indochina," highlights small indigenous fish species as affordable and high-quality nutrient sources and explains models for their resource conservation and aquaculture.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, February 2026 was the fifth-warmest February on record, with temperatures 1.49°C higher than pre-industrial levels. Europe experienced significant temperature fluctuations, with unusual rainfall and widespread flooding in Western Europe.
Rising military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting maritime shipping flows and raising concerns about potential spillover effects on global markets. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released a preliminary report on the impacts of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important trade corridors, on global trade and development.