(Photo:island.lk)

The FAO held a virtual Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) from January 31 to February 2 to set the discussion topics for APRC 37. These include lessons from pandemics and environmental crises, roadmaps for agricultural reform and agrifood system transformation, and solutions for smallholders and family farmers. The APRC agenda also includes a forum on agritourism requested by the Sri Lankan government.

FAO data from last year showed that 370 million people in the Asia-Pacific region suffer from malnutrition, largely due to political and climate-related problems. Countries in the region must make their agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient to climate change.

Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO’s Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, said, "these solutions that agriculture and food systems can offer that can help to reduce green house emission, at the same time build resilience, improve adaptation capabilities, and address food security challenges."

Within the framework of APRC 37, a Special Ministerial Conference of Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and Landlocked Developed Countries will be held.