Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Nations Food and Agriculture\nOrganisation (FAO), together with the government of Brunei Darussalam,\nheld the Asia-Pacific Food Forum to accelerate the transformation of\nagri-food systems in the region.<\/p>\n
According to a written statement received on Wednesday (22\/4), the\nforum brought together various stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The forum focused on mobilising investments, utilising science and\ninnovation for evidence-based policies, and empowering women and\nyouth.<\/p>\n
In opening the forum, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol called\nfor scaling up proven regional solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not short of solutions \u2014 what we need is to scale them up,\nand to better connect priorities with investments, innovations with\nmarkets, and people with opportunities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasised the importance of\nlarge-scale investments to support agri-food transformation.<\/p>\n
He also called for science- and innovation-based actions as well as\ninclusive and intergenerational leadership.<\/p>\n
The forum highlighted the role of FAO initiatives in helping\ncountries build targeted, financeable, and data-driven investment\npathways.<\/p>\n
In addition, the forum identified opportunities to mobilise public\nand private financing through blended finance schemes and risk\nmitigation instruments.<\/p>\n
FAO\u2019s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative was assessed\nas strengthening agricultural product value chains, improving\nproductivity, competitiveness, traceability, and market access.<\/p>\n
The programme also promotes sustainable and climate-resilient\nagri-food systems and enhances nutritional aspects.<\/p>\n
At the forum, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional\nRepresentative Alue Dohong designated two institutions as OCOP centres\nof excellence.<\/p>\n
The two institutions are the Institute of Geographic Sciences and\nNatural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the\nInstitute of Nutrition at Mahidol University in Thailand.<\/p>\n
The institute in China was recognised for developing geographical\nindication methodologies that link products to their production\nenvironments.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University was\ndeemed excellent in nutritional analysis and food product\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
The forum also spotlighted the role of women in agri-food systems\nthrough a special session on the 2026 International Year of Women\nFarmers.<\/p>\n
In that session, participants called for stronger steps to address\nbarriers to access to resources, services, and leadership\nopportunities.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fao-forum-discusses-acceleration-of-agri-food-system-transformation-1776858654", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }