Background

The Asia and Pacific region is home to the largest number of poor, and is one of the most vulnerable regions against the impacts of climate change and economic shocks. The region is also the largest supplier and consumer of food. It is home to a dynamic food and agriculture industry that is providing an increasing range of affordable food products. Thus, what the region does for its food security will resonate around the world.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are co-organizing the first regional forum on food security to showcase Asia and the Pacific as an attractive region for increased public and private sector investments on food security related initiatives.

A Marketplace will be held back-to-back with the Forum where private sector companies and civil society organizations are invited to exhibit their innovative products and services in the areas of productivity enhancement, financial services, connectivity improvements, natural resources management, and climate resilience innovations.

Objectives

The Forum will bring together the key stakeholders in the region to:

• share experiences and expertise on innovations and good practices of multi-pronged approaches to achieving sustainable and inclusive food security;
• encourage greater collaboration and partnership in investments in foods security among governments, the private sector, international development agencies, civil society organizations and research institutions; and
• promote and support country-driven partnership frameworks for investments in food security.

Organizers

Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).

Target participants

Participation is by invitation only.

• High-level public sector participation
• Ministers from selected Asian Member Countries
• High level participants from other member countries/regional bodies in Asia and the Pacific
• Broad private sector (multinational, regional and national), producer associations, and civil society participants

Resource speakers

Distinguished experts from governments, private sector agribusiness developers and service providers, civil society, academia, international organizations.