The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and Agrinatura, the European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) online on 22 September 2026. This marks a key achievement for APAARI in strengthening international collaboration between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The five-year partnership establishes a strategic framework to advance agricultural research, innovation, higher education, capacity development and evidence-informed policy engagement in support of sustainable, resilient and inclusive agri-food systems. It is guided by the overarching theme, “Europe-Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Systems Transformation.”

Through the MoU, APAARI and Agrinatura will promote joint programmes, regional and inter-regional initiatives, resource mobilization and knowledge exchange. Cooperation will cover priority areas such as agricultural innovation systems, climate-resilient agriculture, agroecology, natural resource management, food and nutrition security, digital agriculture, sustainable plant health, biosecurity, food loss and waste reduction, and science-policy dialogue.

A central element of the partnership is the establishment and strengthening of a Europe-Asia-Pacific Community of Practice on Agri-Food Innovation Systems Transformation. The Community of Practice will facilitate sustained exchange among researchers, higher education institutions, policymakers, development partners, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders, translating knowledge and innovation into practical impact.

The partnership will also support capacity development, institutional strengthening, sustainable trade, sanitary and phytosanitary harmonization, and market access. It emphasizes inclusive approaches, with particular attention to women and youth in agriculture and agribusiness.

The MoU was officially signed by Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director of APAARI, and Dr. Ioannis Dimitriou, President of Agrinatura. They will coordinate the implementation of the partnership through annual action plans, beginning with strategic partnership development, engagement with APAARI members and identification of joint funding opportunities.

APAARI looks forward to working closely with Agrinatura to strengthen knowledge exchange, research collaboration and innovation partnerships for more sustainable, resilient and inclusive agri-food systems across the two regions.