ASEAN-CRN: 10 Years of Driving Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Southeast Asia

As climate challenges continue to reshape the future of food systems, the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) marked a decade of transformative impact in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Held from January 22 to 24, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the theme “Celebrating a Decade of Enhanced Regional Cooperation for a Sustainable Agricultural Future,” the ASEAN-CRN’s 10th anniversary celebration brought together development leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to reflect on the network’s progress and chart the way forward.

Over the past ten years, ASEAN-CRN has risen as a model for regional cooperation, catalyzing innovations in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and influencing policies that prioritize both resilience and sustainability. With its roots in the ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Research Development (ATWGARD), the network has facilitated actionable solutions to ensure food systems can thrive amid growing environmental pressures.

A High-Impact Gathering of Changemakers

The vibrant three-day event attracted over 120 stakeholders and featured a dynamic mix of technical exchanges, knowledge-sharing sessions, policy dialogues, and visionary planning. Highlights included engaging panel discussions, a development partners’ session, an exhibition, and a study tour.

Notable speakers at the opening ceremony included H.E. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC), Thailand; H.E. Mr. Itti Sirilattayakorn, Deputy Minister of MoAC, Thailand; Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Thailand; Mr. Nirat Pongsitthavorn, Governor of Chiang Mai; and Mr. Robert Simpson, Deputy Regional Representative (DRR) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. They emphasized ASEAN-CRN’s vital role in uniting member states to address shared agricultural challenges and strengthening national initiatives.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Narumon highlighted the imperative of agri-food systems transformation, saying: “Agri-food systems require fundamental transformation across three critical pillars: decarbonization across the value chain, innovation through R&D investment, and strategic partnerships, as seen in ASEAN-CRN’s regional collaboration.”

Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs of DOA added: “As Thailand holds the Chair of ASEAN-CRN, under the leadership of the DOA-MoAC, we have not only participated at the regional level with our ASEAN-CRN partners but have also taken significant steps to implement national-level models addressing climate adaptation in Thai agriculture.”

Mr. Itti of MoAC underscored Thailand’s leadership in addressing PM2.5 haze, highlighting measures such as banning crop burning and prohibiting the import of products linked to burning. “We hope these efforts will serve as a positive example for the ASEAN region,” he stated. However, he acknowledged the need for collective action, emphasizing, “Achieving sustainable agricultural production in the region, while protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for the population, requires continuous cooperation from all countries, including development partners.”

Similarly, Governor Nirat highlighted Chiang Mai’s commitment to combating severe air pollution, particularly PM2.5 haze, which poses risks to public health and undermines tourism and economic activities. He noted the province’s collaboration with various stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Experts from ASEAN Member States, international organizations, and development partners engaged in thematic sessions on scaling climate finance, mainstreaming climate-smart innovations, and empowering smallholder farmers.

The technical and knowledge exchange centered on accelerating the implementation of national climate plans, with participants exploring new and ongoing initiatives to invest in climate change priorities within agrifood systems across Southeast Asia. Country participants showcased innovative projects being developed by FAO in collaboration with six ASEAN Member States and supported by the Green Climate Fund, including climate-resilient and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Cambodia and the Philippines, sustainable low-emission rice production in Malaysia and Viet Nam, and climate-smart agriculture in Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand. These presentations highlighted ASEAN-CRN’s pivotal role in advancing actionable, context-specific solutions across the region.

The development partners’ session was another highlight, with founding members and new partners outlining their contributions, future plans, and areas for collaboration with ASEAN-CRN. The Mekong Institute (MI), FAO, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Winrock International, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) reported on specific initiatives and activities their organizations could support to advance regional agricultural resilience.

As the interim secretariat of ASEAN-CRN, MI plays a crucial role in ensuring the network’s continuity and effectiveness. MI remains committed to fostering inclusive partnerships, strengthening knowledge exchange, and supporting ASEAN-CRN’s mission to advance climate-resilient agriculture.

An exhibition featured cutting-edge research, tools, and real-world projects from ASEAN-CRN’s partner organizations, sparking inspiration and collaboration. A study tour further enriched the event, featuring a presentation by Thailand’s DOA and a guided visit to the Rajapruek Royal Park where participants learned about Thailand’s initiative to reduce agricultural burning and associated air pollution in Northern Thailand.

10 Years of Action, Collaboration, and Impact

Since its establishment in 2014, ASEAN-CRN has made strides in transforming policy into action. Key achievements include the formation of the ASEAN Negotiating Group on Agriculture (ANGA), which has effectively represented regional interests at UNFCCC forums, and the adoption of regional CSA guidelines endorsed by ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry.

Mr. Robert Simpson of FAO praised ASEAN-CRN’s achievements, stating, “With ASEAN-CRN, the countries of Southeast Asia have developed a platform for collective learning, deliberation and action. The network has drawn on the knowledge, expertise and resources of countries and partners to highlight new technologies and approaches to address climate change risks, consider the potential to reduce and sequester emissions, and make the case for increased investment in climate action targeting agriculture.”

Looking Ahead: A Bold Vision for a Resilient Future

The event wasn’t just about celebrating past successes—it was a rallying call for renewed commitment. A forward-looking panel, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation: 10 Years and Beyond,” explored strategic priorities, including scaling up proven CSA practices, strengthening access to climate finance, and deepening partnerships with development actors to align efforts with regional and global climate goals.

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, emphasized the need for sustained momentum:“We are at a crossroads. The lessons of the past 10 years must propel us to do more—to ensure no farmer is left behind and no policy remains a mere aspiration.”

A key priority for ASEAN-CRN moving forward is the establishment of a fully functional and sustainable secretariat. As the network continues to grow, ASEAN-CRN welcomes collaboration from development partners and stakeholders to enhance its role as an open platform for partnership and collective action in addressing climate challenges.

The event culminated in the development of the draft ASEAN-CRN workplan, outlining strategic priorities for the next phase of the network’s journey. This includes identified activities to scale CSA practices, organising technical knowledge exchange events, accessing climate finance, supporting ASEAN policy development, enhancing partnerships, and strengthening the ASEAN-CRN secretariat.

In an anniversary commemoration statement, ASEAN-CRN Focal Points embraced a bold and unified vision. Together, they pledged to take decisive action to shape a prosperous and sustainable ASEAN, ensuring a thriving future for generations to come.

Partnerships Driving Progress

The anniversary celebration underscored ASEAN-CRN’s identity as a collaborative platform, hosted by Thailand’s Department of Agriculture, and co-organized by MI, FAO, and esteemed partners including GIZ, Winrock International, GGGI, among other partners.

A Call to Action for the Development Community

We invite governments, development agencies, private sector actors, and research institutions to join ASEAN-CRN in strengthening its role as a regional knowledge hub and mechanism for coordinated action on climate resilience. Together, we can build a future where agriculture remains sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

The 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-CRN wasn’t just an event—it was a blueprint for the future. As development practitioners, policymakers, and organizations look to enhance resilience in agriculture, ASEAN-CRN’s achievements offer inspiration and guidance.

For more information about ASEAN-CRN and its work, visit ASEAN-CRN’s official website.

Read the full commemoration statetement here.

See the presentations from January 23, 2025 here.

Learn more about the network through “10 Things about ASEAN-CRN” here.

This news release was co-written by the Mekong Institute and the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network.

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