927. Introducing the Green Asia Project at International Conferences

In April 2022, JIRCAS initiated the Green Asia project, with a primary focus on showcasing and advocating for the adoption of technologies that enhance both productivity and sustainability in the Asia-Monsoon region. Since its inception, JIRCAS has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at catalyzing the development of the food system in the region. In particular, several international conferences on agriculture and food systems were held from October to December this year. JIRCAS took advantage of these opportunities to present the overarching goals and specific undertakings of the Green Asia Project, with the aim of disseminating key information to our collaborators in the Asia-Monsoon region and international organizations. This outreach served the dual purpose of informing stakeholders of our ongoing efforts and fostering the expansion of our international network.
 

Symposium on "Promoting the Implementation of Scalable Agricultural Technologies in the Asia-Monsoon Region" at the 6th IRC 2023
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20231220
The 6th International Rice Congress (IRC), hosted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), marked a milestone by being held in the Philippines for the first time. Held over four days from October 16-19, the Congress drew global attention to the latest developments in rice research and agriculture. Among the highlights was a symposium titled "Promoting the Implementation of Scalable Agricultural Technologies in the Asia-Monsoon Region" on October 17, where JIRCAS researchers collaborated with colleagues from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) and presented the activities of the Green Asia project.

ASEAN Forum Highlights the Technology Catalog for Asia-Monsoon Region
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20231221
On November 22-23, the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) jointly organized the "Forum for the Formulation of an Action Plan to Implement the ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Sustainable Agriculture" in Jakarta, Indonesia. In this event, JIRCAS played a pivotal role by disseminating the "Technology Catalog Contributing to Production Potential and Sustainability in the Asia-Monsoon Region" among attendees.

Green Asia's initiatives were introduced at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries event at COP28
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20231222
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) was held in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) from November 30 to December 13, 2023. As one of the events of AIM for Climate, an international initiative, a seminar to introduce Green Asia was held on December 10, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). At the seminar, JIRCAS presented an overview of Green Asia activities, including the development of the "Technology Catalog Contributing to Production Potential and Sustainability in the Asia-Monsoon Region" as one of the outcomes of Green Asia, the holding of an international scientific advisory committee meeting, and the promotion of technology applications through joint research with research institutions in other countries.  

Symposium Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Southeast Asia Liaison Office
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20231218_0
On December 14, JIRCAS held a symposium in Bangkok, Thailand, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Southeast Asia Liaison Office. The first part of the symposium featured extensive presentations by both JIRCAS and its Thai counterparts, highlighting the rich history and consequential results of joint research in soil science, livestock management, forestry practices, food production, plant pest control, aquaculture, and plant breeding. In the second part, JIRCAS highlighted the innovative Green Asia Project, the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) outlined its strategic initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, and the ASEAN Secretariat provided insights into the recently launched ASEAN Sustainable Agriculture Guidelines. 

Contributors: FUNAKI Yasuro (Social Sciences Division) and IIYAMA Miyuki (Information Program)