Agenda

The TARASA25 agenda is regularly updated so do not hesitate to come back later and get all updates.

You can also download the latest detailed version in PDF format here  

Welcome/opening remarks 

  • Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director of Lao Department Land Management (DLAM), Lao PDR / LICA regional coordinator
  • H.E Yeou Asikin, Undersecretary of State, Cambodia Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) & Vice Chair of CASIC Steering Committee
  • Introduction to objectives & linkage with TARASA25, Dr Estelle Biénabe, CIRAD, ASSET coordinator

Presentation on ASEAN Policy Guidelines for Agroecology Transitions (15 min)

  • Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director of Lao Department of Land Management (DLAM) 

Presentation on concrete country policy actions on agroecology by LICA focal points (30 min)

  • Vietnam: Mai Huong Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Center for Rural Development, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Viet Nam / LICA focal point
  • Malaysia: Mohamad Sofian Bin Omar, Principal Assistant Director, Department of Agriculture, Malaysia / LICA focal point
  • Cambodia: Phy Chhin, Department of Agricultural Land Resources Management, General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia / LICA focal point
  • Philippines: Carl Vincent D. Gapasin, OIC-Chief, Crop Research and Production Support Division, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines
  • Indonesia: Eryk Barlianto, Agricultural Product Quality Supervisor, Cooperation Subdivision, Directorate General of Horticulture, Indonesia
  • Thailand: Phatthicha Plianphanich, Policy and Plan Analyst, Planning and Technical Division, DOA Thailand

Commentaries from stakeholders (15 min)

  • Irish Baguilat, Coordinator for Sustainable Agriculture, Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) 
  • Fergus Sinclair or Sandhya Kumar & Stéphane Guéneau, Researcher - Transformative Partnership Platform for Agroecology (AE-TPP)
  • Dao The Anh, Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA)

Q&A (10 min)

Facilitator: Andrew Bartlett

Parliamentary experience sharing (30 min)

  • Insights from South East Asia: Members of parliament from Lao PDR, Malaysia (in person and online participation, TBC) (8’)
  • Insights from Latin America: sharing the development of the Model Law on Agroecology, Hon. Rolando González Patricio, Presidente del PARLATINO (video recorded message) (7’)
  • Insights from East Africa Legislative Assembly: Advancing agroecology across the region through legislative action, Hon. Gideon Gatpan Thoar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism & Natural Resources of EALA (video recorded message) (5’)
  • Insights from ASEAN Inter-Parliament Assembly (AIPA)’s experience in advancing the implementation of the ASEAN RAI Parliamentary Implementation Framework: Turning regional policy commitments into actions at the national level - Her Excellency Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) (Video recorded message) (5’)

Discussion in pair and/or by table (25 min)

Wrap up of the session – participants share freely (5 min)

Facilitator: Pierre Ferrand

Synergizing agroecology with other ASEAN guidelines, processes, and programmes (25 min)

  • ASEAN guidelines for recognition of customary tenure - Femy Pinto, Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) Asia
  • ASEAN guidelines on promoting responsible investment in food agriculture and forestry (RAI) - Souvanthong Namvong, Dep DG Dept Agric Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC), Laos
  • ASEAN Climate Resilient Network (CRN) and guidelines – Dada Bacudo, FAO, ASEAN CRN
  • Insights from the regional initiatives spearheaded by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) - Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Director, SEARCA

Facilitator: Estelle Biénabe

Synergizing agroecology with global agendas on food systems transformation, biodiversity, and climate change (25 min)

  • Agroecology as a lever for food systems transformation: delivering benefits for climate, biodiversity, and nutrition – Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology coalition
  • Agroecology and biodiversity - Dr. Souvilay, Deputy Director of the Environmental Policy Division, Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR
  • Agroecology and climate change- Dr. Dao The Anh, National COP climate Agriculture negotiator, Vietnam (virtual)
  • Agroecology and climate change - Convergence Action Blueprint (CAB): Convergence Initiative in Lao PDR and across the region – Dr. Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns, FAO

Facilitator: Yi-Ann Chen

Insights from speakers: How can we leverage and empower LICA as regional facilitating platform? (15 min)

  • 2 minute intervention from all the speakers

Facilitator: Andrew Bartlett

Lunch is provided for participants at the venue.

Presentation on LICA Strategy Action Plan (10 min)

  • Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, DLAM, LICA regional coordinator

World cafe discussion (60 min)
* 2 rounds, each participant could choose two topics
* LICA focal points to sit in one group and discuss all four topics

  1. Turning Policy Guidelines into National Action Plans

- Facilitators: NTFP-EP (Femy Pinto), AsiaDHRRA (Marlene Ramirez), CIRAD (Estelle Biénabe, Stéphane Guéneau)

  1. Knowledge Exchange Between Countries

- Facilitators: AFA (Irish Baguilat), ALiSEA/ GRET (Lucie Reynaud), ESCAP (Yi-Ann Chen)

  1. Resource Mobilization for Agroecology

- Facilitators: AE Coalition (Oliver Oliveros), AFD (Francois-Xavier Duporge), SDC (Patrik Ollson) 

  1. Monitoring, Learning, and Governance

- Facilitators: AE TPP (Sandhya Kumar), FAO (Pierre Ferrand), CIRAD (Pascal Lienhard, Mélanie Blanchard)

Report back with actionable proposals from 5 groups (20 min)

Open discussion and wrap up (10 min)

Facilitator: Andrew Bartlett

Coffee Break & Networking

Perspectives from regional networks on how to strengthen the regional multistakeholder process? How to better align across different stakeholders’ initiatives? How to ensure accountability? (2 min each)

  • Dao The Anh / Pat Sovann, ALiSEA
  • Irish Baguilat, AFA 
  • Marlene Ramirez, Asia DHRRA
  • Femy Pinto, NTFP-EP

Perspectives from global networks and research partners (2 min each)

  • Oliver Oliveros, AE coalition
  • Fergus Sinclair / Sandhya Kumar, ICRAF, AE TPP
  • TBC, CIRAD, AE TPP

Perspectives from development partners (2 min each)

  • AFD (Country Director, Laos or regional direction)
  • Inpone Senekhamty, Program Manager to EU delegation to Lao
    PDR
  • Pierre Ferrand, FAO
  • Yi-Ann Chen, ESCAP
  • Patrik Olsson, Regional Advisor for Food Systems, Water, and Sanitation, SDC
  • Robert Cole, WWF Food and Sustainable Agriculture Lead, Asia Pacific & Greater Mekong

Facilitator: Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns

  • Dr Thatheva Saphangtong, DLAM, LICA regional coordinator, AE coalition regional focal point

Welcome Cocktail Reception at DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane

Welcome remarks (25’)

  • HE Dr. Xaynakhone Inthavong, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Lao PDR (6’)
  • HE Mrs Bénédicte Deschamps, French Ambassador to Lao PDR (6’)
  • HE Mr. Mark Gallagher, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR (6’)
  • Mrs. Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to Lao PDR (6’)
  • Mrs Lin Yang, ESCAP's Deputy Executive Secretary (6’)

Opening remarks (15’)

  • Mr Virana Sonenasinh, Director General of the Department of Land Administration and Management
  • Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Land Administration and Management/LICA Focal Point for the Lao PDR
  • H.E. Mrs. YOEU Asikin, Under Secretary of State, Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) & Vice Chair of CASIC Steering Committee

Group photo

Coffee break & visit of Innovation Fair by guests of honor

Setting the scene

  • How Agroecology can contribute to transforming our food systems? keynote speech by Lim Li Ching (IPES-Food) (20’)
  • Support to innovations large-scale adoption: the case of Andhra Pradesh Community managed Natural Farming, India; keynote speech by Swati Renduchintala (CMNF) (20’)
  • Current development of financing landscape and opportunities for agroecology; keynote speech by Francois-Xavier Duporge, AFD Country Director, Laos (20’)

Moderated by: Oliver Oliveros, Agroecology Coalition

Q&A session (30’)

Lunch time

Visit of Innovation Fair

Learning from Global Initiatives

  • Oliver Oliveros, The Agroecology Coalition (15’)
  • Tara Shyam, Regen10 network (15’)
  • Céline Papin, COSTEA, Together to face the challenges of irrigated agriculture (15’)

Moderated by: Pierre Ferrand, FAO

Q&A session (15’)

Learning from Regional Initiatives

  • Estelle Bienabe (CIRAD) and Marie-Christine Lebret (GRET), Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET) project, (15’)
  • Esther Penunia, Asian Farmers Association & the Youth agenda for AE (AFA), (15’)
  • Yutong Li, The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), (15’)

Moderated by: Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong, DLAM, LICA team

Q&A session (15’)

Coffee Break & Visit of Innovation Fair

Learning from key events in 2025 (round table)

  • Pierre Ferrand (FAO), Introduction keynote: A decade of support to agroecology at FAO
  • Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns (UN FSH), Take away messages from UN Food System Summit,
  • Bui My Binh, Vietnam Agriculture COP30 negotiator, Lessons learnt from COP30 on Climate,
  • Fergus Sinclair (Agroecology TPP), Take away messages from Agroecology TPP Forum,

Moderated by: Mélanie Blanchard, CIRAD

Open discussion with panelists (30’)

  • Wrap up Day 1 – Comments/remarks on Day 1 (15’)
  • Overview of Day 2 agenda - information on field visit & innovation fair awarding (15’)
  • Appreciation certificates ceremony - Distribution of certificates of appreciation to speakers and moderators (15’)

  • Advancing Agroecology in Northern Laos: Sustainable Silvopastoral Interventions and Incentive Mechanisms for Food System Transformation, Vongvilay Vongkhamsao, NAFRI (15')
  • Agro-ecology transition in action for the Myanmar Paddy smallholder producers, Yadanar Win, GRET (15')
  • Enhancing agroecology and circular economy through increased crop-livestock integration in Northwestern Vietnam, Trung Nguyen, NIAS (15')
  • Living labs for co-generation of innovations in a changing world as a foundation for agroecology transitions, Powell Mponela, CIMMYT (15')

Moderated by: Irish Baguilat, AFA

Q&A session (30’)

  • Disentangling the causes of grain yield variability in rice cropping systems in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia - Myriam ADAM, CIRAD
  • Advancing Regenerative Agriculture through Metrics: The Composite Nature Positive Index (CNPI) Methodological Framework, Mansi Tripathi, IWMI
  • Measuring Agroecological Performance and Multidimensional Sustainability of Agrosilvopastoral Farming Systems of Indigenous Communities in Kerala, India using FAO’s TAPE, Shweta Sharma, SES, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Analyzing pathways to agroecological change in Northern Laos, Jean-Christophe Castella, IRD

Moderated by: Fergus Sinclair, Agroecology TPP

Q&A session (30’)

Coffee break and visit of innovation fair

  • Learning from Piloting Territorial Branding for Agroecological Transitions in Vietnam, Thi Huong Giang Do and Estelle Bienabe CIRAD (15')
  • Quantification of Ecosystem Services in Tea-Based Agroforestry Systems in Northern Laos, Khamboua Keovilay, PAFO XKG (15')
  • Scale-appropriate agricultural machinery for advancing regenerative and agroecological farming across ASEAN, Powell Mponela, CIMMYT (15')
  • Do N₂O emissions undermine the climate benefits of soil organic C sequestration in long-term cassava-based conservation agriculture in Cambodia? Vira Leng, GDA, MAFF (15')

Moderated by: Pascal Lienhard, CIRAD

Q&A session (30’)

  • Holistic System Assessment to Support Agroecological Transitions in Asia, Sandhya Kumar, CIFOR-ICRAF (15')
  • Initiating the food systems transformation through national food systems assessment: case studies of countries under food systems transformation transect in ASEAN, Pham Thi Mai Huong, Alliance Bioversity and CIAT (15')
  • Investigating Agroecology Performance for Economic Efficiency Among Household Farming in Cambodia, Dany Meas, ECOLAND (15')
  • Outcome Harvesting in the ASSET Project, Lampheuy Kaensombath (15')

Moderated by: Dao The Anh, dP MALICA

Q&A session (30’)

  • ALiSEA Network: Engaging members in sustainability journey and widespread adoption of agroecology, Sovann PAT, ALiSEA-GRET
  • Cultivating Change: Integrating Agroecology in Himalayan Schools for Resilience and Learning, Krishna Prasad Paudel, CEPP
  • Developing Natural Farming Villages through a Network of Farmers in Himachal, India - Devinder Kumar Sadana, ILSI
  • SeqCOI, a decision support tool for calculating and mapping GHG balances of the land use sector at territorial level: study case in northern Cambodia, Phy Chhin, GDA

Moderated by: François Enten, GRET

Q&A session (30’)

  • A Scalable Framework for Agroecological Transitions: Insights from India’s Landscape-Based Planning Initiative, Vibhusha Gupta, CAT
  • Dei Meas: Exploring financial mechanisms for farmers transition to agroecology, Socheata Sam, Swisscontact
  • E-commerce and Market Transformations for Agroecological Products in Vietnam, Michaël Bruckert, CIRAD
  • Evaluating Contractual Relationships and Certification Processes in Cambodian Organic Rice Value Chains: example of Preah Vihear province, Kim Lan Mas, CIRAD

Moderated by: Setha Rath, Swisscontact

Q&A session (30’)

Coffee break and visit of innovation fair

  • Knowledge, Narrative, and Networks: The Pha Khao Lao Approach to Raising Awareness on Agrobiodiversity, Albrecht Ehrensperger, CDE
  • Reclaiming Wisdom, Restoring Balance: Agroecology Transitions and Resilient Livelihoods through "The Forest Dialogue" in Myanmar, Mony, PMM
  • Scaling Nature-Based Solutions and Indigenous Knowledge for Agroecological Transition and Resilient Livelihoods in Northern Vietnam, Ho Ngoc Son, TN UAF
  • Transforming Agroecology Training for Youth: Digital Approaches and Interdisciplinary Engagement in Cambodia, Raphaëlle Ducrot, CIRAD

Moderated by: Teky Vishy, APAARI

Q&A session (30’)

  • Himalayan Agroecology Initiative: Pathways towards agroecological food systems, Jai C. Rana, Alliance Biodiversity & CIAT (15')
  • Organizational innovations to boost the availability of safe and healthy vegetable in local markets in Cambodia, Elise Perniceni, GRET (15')
  • Results of an Analysis on the Potential for GAP and AE Integration to Promote more RAI and Agrifood Systems in the Mekong, Thiphavong Boupha, LEI (15')
  • Service Model for agricultural machinery -scaling regenerative and agroecological farming across ASEAN, Bharathi Parupalli, CIMMYT (15')

Moderated by: Sayvisene Boulom, NUoL

Q&A session (30’)

Distribution of certificates of appreciation to speakers and moderators (15’)

Poster session showcasing scientific and practical innovations in agroecology and food systems

Moderated by: Hoa Tran Quoc, CIRAD

Round table with public and private donors and impact investors

  • Patrik Olsson, Deputy Head, SDC Regional, Regional Advisor Food Systems and Water
  • Inpone Senekhamty, EU delegation in Lao PDR
  • Palima Sisaykeo, MSME Promotion Fund, Ministry of Industrial and Commerce, Lao PDR
  • Phengkhouane Manivong, AFD office in Lao PDR
  • Dada Bacudo, ASEAN Green Bond for Sustainable Agriculture

Moderated by: Andrew Bartlett

Round table with public and private donors and impact investors

  • Cristino Panerio, Agroecology Fund –Global Advisory based in the Philippines
  • Ashlesha Khadse, 1000 currents - Regional Director, Asia and the Pacific
  • Haiya Zhang, Ecom, Sustainability manager for China

Moderated by: Andrew Bartlett

Distribution of certificates of appreciation to all participants to the innovation fair

Launching of ALiSEA Knowledge Hub

Moderated by Albrecht Ehrensperger, CDE

Round table with representatives of ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries

01:20-01:50 Setting the scene

  • Food systems and agroecology policy trends in ASEAN/Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Yi-Ann Chen, ESCAP
  • Synthesis of the TARASA25 pre-event policy dialogue outcomes, Mr. Pierre Ferrand, FAO
  • ASEAN Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions and LICA Strategic Action Plan (2026-2030), Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong, DLAM/LICA
01:50-02:20 Panel 1: Enabling environments for farmers and local food systems (voices)

1. Concrete examples of farmer organizations’ participation at multiple scales in the policy process related to AE: policy outcomes and barriers as experiencedMs. Irish Baguilat, Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA)

2. The role of CSOs and multistakeholder processes in inclusive knowledge exchange under LICA Dr. Dao The Anh, ALiSEA representative

3. Enabling environment for AE transitions: lesson learnt from the ASEAN master plan of rural development Ms. Marlene Ramirez, AsiaDHRRA

4. Research and innovation policies for agroecology: National processes driving AE and food systems transformation in Viet Nam Ms. Nguyen Mai Huong, ISPAE, Deputy Director, RUDEC; LICA focal point or Dr. Hoang Vu Quang, Deputy Director, ISPAE

02:20-03:00

 

Panel 2: Policy alignment for climate, biodiversity, nutrition, food systems transformation (themes)

5. Agroecology and the climate agenda: Opportunities for convergence across global, regional, and national frameworks, Ms. Dada Bacudo, FAO / ASEAN Climate Resilience Network

6. Integrating nutrition into agroecology policies: Ensuring coherence between national nutrition strategies and AE initiatives, Ms. Sahar Brahim, IFOAM - Organics International

7. Agroecology, land degradation and UNFCCC COP agenda: Insights from Mongolia, Mr. Bayarsaikhan Dangaasuren, Expert of Policy and Planning Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia

8. National action planning for agroecology: Lessons from Lao PDR and implications for LICA’s Action Plan, Mr. Anousack Maytychit, Deputy Director Planning and Cooperation Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR

9. Agrifood systems and biodiversity, Dr. Olayvanh Singvilay, FAO in Lao PDR

03:00-03:20 Wrap up and call for action

Moderated by: Andrew Bartlett

Introduction to Mekong Young Organic network - Mrs Tanya Limkhumduang - Learning from 3 young farmers:

  • Mrs Mimee Phommary (Laos): From a Forest Child to a Fruit Orchard Owner and Youth Agriculture Promoter
  • Mrs Phoo Phoo Myint Han (Myanmar): Empowering Myanmar’s Rice Farmers Through Online Knowledge
  • Mrs Parichat Dokkaew (Thailand): From Factory Engineer to Founder of KHONG GREEN

Moderated by: Tanya Limkhumduang, Mekong Young Organic network

Distribution of certificates of appreciation to speakers and moderators (15’)

Lessons learnt & Focus areas for the next workshop