The future of food systems in Southeast Asia post COVID-19
Watch the webinar here: https://youtu.be/-UlEvXXJy7o
BACKGROUND
Since it was declared pandemic by WHO on 11 March, COVID-19 has affected over 200 countries and territories around the globe. It has forced many countries to imposed lock down or other measures to limit people to people contact and movement. Schools, offices and airports are closed down. The full impact of the pandemic is yet to be known but for sure it will cause major repercussions to the food systems.
Safeguarding food security is critical during the pandemic. Farmers need to continue to produce foods, distribute them and ensure that access to markets are not compromised. However, the situations are different from country to country and challenges to maintain well-functioning food systems are huge.
Governments across Southeast Asia, one of the most fast-growing regions in the world, are called to take appropriate policy measures to ensure the continuity of food systems to serve the people, including the poor, the most vulnerable segment of our society.
The key questions of the seminar are:
- What are the challenges of the food systems amid COVID-19?
- How can we safeguard food systems in the short and long-term?
- What policy measures should be taken to protect the food systems?
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the online seminar is to share information among organizations and institutions on the impact of COVID-19 to the food systems in Southeast Asia. It is also a forum to discuss initiatives that have been taken so far; and what can be done in the future in Southeast Asia.
PROGRAMME
The event is a moderated seminar that will bring together prominent speakers from FAO, ADB, ASEAN, private sector and IRRI – see proposed speakers and programme below.
| 1500 – 1505 | Welcome and introduction to the program | Yurdi Yasmi, IRRI’s SE Asia Rep. |
| 1505 – 1512 | Opening remarks | Matthew Morell, Executive Director, IRRI |
| 1513 – 1520 | FAO’s roles in safeguarding the food systems – future development priorities | David Dawe, Senior Economist, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific |
| 1522 – 1528 | ADB’s investment in the food systems in Southeast Asia – new direction post covid-19? | Zhang Jiangfeng, Director of NR and Ag for Southeast Asia, ADB |
| 1529 – 1336 | ASEAN and food security – what will change? | Aladdin D. Rillo, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN |
| 1537 – 1544 | IRRI’s research priorities, now and the future | Jean Balié, Platform Leader Agrifood Policy, IRRI |
| 1545 – 1602 | Smallholders and food value chains – a private sector perspective | Grahame Dixie, Executive Director Grow Asia |
| 1602 – 1615 | Moderated Q&A | Yurdi Yasmi, IRRI’s SE Asia Rep |
| 1615 – 1625 | Question from the floor | |
| 1625 – 1630 | Way forward | Matthew Morell, Executive Director IRRI |
| 1630 | Closing |
COVER PHOTO:
License to use Creative Commons Zero – CC0
Zhang Jiangfeng
Director of Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, Southeast Asia Department, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB)