(KPL) The Lao-facilitated Initiative on Agroecology, led by the Lao government, alongside representatives from ASEAN countries and valuable and long-standing partners, officially launched the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecological Transition, following its adoption at the 45th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in October 2024. 

This event marks a decisive step toward strengthening sustainable and resilient food systems in the region. For over two decades, the French institutions – leading by AFD Group and CIRAD – have been longstanding partners of the ASEAN countries in supporting the Agroecology transition in Southeast Asia, with the first agroecology project launched in 2008.

Since then, more than €30 million has been committed to demonstrate the importance of Agroecology transitions in developing sustainable and resilient food systems in the region. The ongoing project titled “Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET) in Southeast Asia project” – co-financed by the European Union, French Development Agency (AFD), and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM) - enables AFD Group, CIRAD and their partners to translate a shared vision of Agroecology and Safe Food System transitions into the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions, which were celebrated on Monday 17.

This launch underscores Team Europe's unwavering commitment to supporting ASEAN to drive the transformative change. The recently launched guidelines - prepared by CIRAD together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the coordination of LICA/ DALaM, and built on seven fundamental levers emphasizing farmer engagement, sustainable value chains and multi-stakeholder collaboration - will accompany stakeholders on their transformative journey, regardless of their starting point.  

Building Momentum Through Action

To capitalize on this event, a high-level technical workshop was convened on March 17 and 18, bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders from the ASEAN countries to translate the principles into concrete actions.

This workshop involved the private sector and development partners, fostering constructive dialogue on financing and implementing agroecology in ASEAN.  

The ceremony featured key dignitaries, including Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, French Ambassadro to Laos Siv-Leng Chhuor, EU Ambassador to Laos Mark Gallagher, representative from the ASEAN secretariat M. Dian Sukmajaya, representatives from development partners, and numerous key figures from both public and private sectors, to celebrate the unity and commitment of ASEAN countries to integrate Agroecology into their national agricultural policies, aligning with ASEAN objectives.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Chhuor emphasized that “Agroecology has long been a priority for France, as it is considered the best possible response to growing human needs and the challenges they pose in terms of climate, pollution, and health. Today’s sessions are essential for enhancing collaboration and accelerating sustainable agriculture and food systems across the ASEAN region.”

This launch of the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions in the Lao PDR represents a landmark achievement toward a more sustainable and resilient agricultural and food sector, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment across the ASEAN region.

KPL