Prepared by Chanraksmey, Soutima, Trang Nguyen—ALiSEA National Secretary of Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam

From 24 to 27 November 2025 in Vientiane, Laos, TARASA25 gathered 230 delegates with a balanced representation of men and women from 20 countries. Participants included researchers, farmers, policymakers, youth leaders, civil society organizations, and private-sector actors. TARASA25 continues to serve as a vibrant space for learning, partnership-building, and joint action toward sustainable agriculture and food systems in the Asia-Pacific. The 2025 edition

The Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) proudly joined TARASA25 in Laos and brought forward its extensive experience in driving agroecology across Southeast Asia, highlighting successful practices, collaborative actions, and policy engagement from its diverse member countries. This regional perspective provided valuable insights for delegates interested in strengthening agroecology transitions within their own national contexts.

Dr. Dao The Anh, President of PHANO—the organization serving as the National Secretariat of ALiSEA in Vietnam—emphasized ALiSEA’s role in providing an inclusive and trusted space for policy dialogue on agroecological transition. He highlighted the network’s strength in connecting grassroots initiatives with national and regional processes, ensuring that farmers’ voices and local innovations are effectively represented. Dr. Dao underscored that agroecology requires context-specific approaches rather than a single model and that field-based evidence is essential for shaping practical and scalable policies. He reaffirmed ALiSEA’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration so that ASEAN countries can jointly advance resilient and sustainable food systems.

Mr. Pat Sovann, ALiSEA Regional Deputy Coordinator, “shared the network’s strategies for promoting agroecology, emphasizing how ALiSEA strengthens members’ capacity to sustain, implement, and actively participate in scaling up agroecological practices.”

Showcasing Knowledge Products and Field Practices

ALiSEA showcased a wide range of knowledge products, including case studies, field-based evidence, farmer-led innovations, and research findings. These materials reflect the network’s long-standing commitment to supporting agroecology transitions and amplifying knowledge generated directly from the field. Delegates were able to explore practical examples and approaches designed to inspire learning and adaptation across different agroecological landscapes.

Launch of the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub, an online platform designed to improve access to agroecology-related knowledge across the region. The launch marks an important milestone in ALiSEA’s mission to promote open, inclusive, and collaborative learning. Through this hub, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers can now more easily find resources, share insights, and contribute to a growing body of regional agroecology knowledge.

Insight TARASA25

Throughout the TARASA25 event, delegates explored how agroecological and regenerative practices can drive food system transformation toward greater resilience, equity, and sustainability. Interactive sessions, field visits, and collaborative discussions fostered deeper cooperation and a shared commitment to long-term regional change.

The event is organized by the LICA (Lao Facilitated-Initiative on Agroecology for ASEAN), is supported by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with key regional and international partners, and is financed by Agence Française de Développement, the European Union, and the French Facility for Global Environment.