Iran to participate in Asia-Pacific forum on food, agriculture

The forum is planned to address the damage done to economies and livelihoods in the food and agriculture sectors by the global coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing disruption caused by the climate crisis, according to fao.org.

Advancing the application of innovation, science and digitalization to help an agro-food systems transformation in the world’s biggest and hungriest region is among the main points for consideration.

The 36th Session of the FAO’s Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference (APRC36) will be hosted by Bangladesh, in the capital Dhaka.

While a significant focus of APRC36 discussions will be on COVID-19 recovery efforts, the ministers and officials attending the event will also consider responses to both emerging and ongoing issues.

Ways and means to mitigate recurring threats to plants and crops, such as locusts and fall armyworm will also be examined; ecosystem responses in the Pacific Islands is another top priority.

Implementing the new FAO strategy on dealing with climate change as well as opportunities that are emerging from applications of innovation, science and digitalization in the food and agriculture sectors to provide solutions will form a major part of the discussions.

Ultimately, the goal will be to reach a consensus that balances the needs of people, domestic animals, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems through One Health approaches.