April 20, 2026 | 05:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Senior Officers’ Meeting of the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC38) opened today, April 20, in Brunei Darussalam. Over the next three days, senior government officials from across the region will deliberate on pressing challenges and emerging issues, establishing the technical and policy foundations ahead of the Ministerial Session scheduled for later this week.
The conference arrives at a critical juncture for the region. Asia and the Pacific still accounts for 42 percent—approximately 285 million people—of the world’s undernourished population, even as some areas report declining hunger rates. Nearly one billion people face food insecurity, while more than 1.2 billion remain unable to afford a healthy diet. Furthermore, the region is grappling with a "triple burden" of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and rising rates of obesity.
These challenges are exacerbated by a confluence of crises, including geopolitical tensions that disrupt global fertilizer and energy markets, intensifying climate impacts such as droughts and floods, land and water degradation, and increasing volatility within trade and supply chains.
Alue Dohong, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, opens the Senior Officers’ Meeting of the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC38) today in Brunei Darussalam. FAO/AJEEM
Opening the meeting, Alue Dohong, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized that regional cooperation is essential to overcoming these hurdles.
“We meet at a critical juncture. The convergent crises facing our region at present—from geopolitical disruptions to climate shocks—demand that we move with urgency to reshape agrifood systems so they are efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” Dohong stated.
He added, “This conference offers an opportunity to align policy responses and long-term investments that will determine our success in ending hunger and improving livelihoods in Asia and the Pacific.”
Dohong urged member countries to utilize the conference to strengthen South-South and Triangular Cooperation while deepening strategic alliances with international financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector. He underscored the importance of directing investments toward smallholder and family farmers who are most in need of support.
The Senior Officers' Meeting will address a substantive agenda, including enhancing access to affordable and nutritious diets, accelerating low-carbon agricultural production, and improving inclusion across agrifood systems. Discussions will also focus on facilitating trade and market integration—particularly for nations transitioning from least-developed country status—and mobilizing both domestic and international finance.
The Week Ahead
On Wednesday, the focus shifts to the World Food Forum – Asia Pacific, a special event designed to engage youth, science, and innovation for agrifood systems transformation. Wednesday will also feature a special Ministerial Event dedicated to Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Least Developed Countries.
The high-level Ministerial Session will commence on Thursday with an opening ceremony presided over by the Crown Prince of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
On Friday, Ministers will conclude with roundtable discussions on innovation for food security, transboundary animal diseases, agrifood investment pathways, the Blue Transformation, and accelerating bioeconomy approaches.
APRC38 is hosted by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. The conference is a governing body meeting of FAO Member Nations in Asia and the Pacific and is held every two years.
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