ALiSEA contributed to Asia-Africa Exchange on Food Policy Research & Advocacy for Food Systems Transformation
On 18th June 2026, a representative from the ALiSEA network, Mr. Pat Sovann, the ALiSEA deputy regional coordinator, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh, the president of PHANO and a member of the ALiSEA Vietnam BoM, served as panelists, with several ALiSEA members across the region participating in an online seminar, Asia-Africa Learning Exchange on Food Policy Research and Advocacy, which focused on the topic of from local action to global impact: Regional collaboration on food environments and food systems in the Global South. The event brought together over 50 people, including researchers, civil society organizations, and development practitioners from Asia and Africa.
The webinar was jointly organized by Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and A Community of Practice for Healthy Food Environments in Asia (SHAPE Asia).
The exchange provided a valuable platform for participants to share experiences and reflect on pathways for accelerating food systems transformation through evidence-based research and policy advocacy.
Several key messages emerged from the discussions:
- Food systems transformation requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, bringing together farmers, researchers, policymakers, civil society organizations, and consumers.
- Evidence from local initiatives and agroecological practices is essential for informing policies and ensuring that solutions respond to the realities faced by farming communities.
- Farmers and local communities should be at the center of policy processes, with their knowledge and experiences recognized and valued.
- Connecting scientific research with local and indigenous knowledge can help design more context-specific, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
- Cross-regional learning and collaboration between Asia and Africa can accelerate innovation and strengthen collective efforts towards more resilient and equitable food systems.
For ALiSEA, the webinar reaffirmed the importance of knowledge sharing and regional collaboration in supporting agroecological transitions and food systems transformation. The discussions also highlighted opportunities to strengthen partnerships, document evidence from agroecological practices, and amplify the voices of farmers and local communities in policy dialogues.
As a regional multi-stakeholder network promoting agroecology in Southeast Asia, ALiSEA will continue to facilitate learning exchanges and collaborate with members and partners to contribute to more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
Watch the full webinar recording here: