Theme: “Accelerating Application of Agricultural Technologies in the Asia-Monsoon Region: Taking Stock and the Way Forward for Enhancing Production Potentials and Sustainable Food Systems”
It has been four years since the UN Secretary-General convened the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021, placing food at the heart of global efforts to end poverty, eliminate hunger, reduce inequalities, combat climate change, and protect biodiversity.
Prior to that milestone event, in May 2021, Japan formulated the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems “MIDORI”, which aimed to enhance agricultural productivity potential and sustainability through innovation.
Since then, the world has witnessed remarkable changes and increasing uncertainties in the global food system landscape. As the world struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of geopolitical events raised concerns over food security, with the prices of fuel, fertilizer, and food reaching record highs in 2022—particularly in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.
At the same time, rising global temperatures continue to impact food production. In January 2025, it was confirmed that 2024 was the hottest calendar year on record, with the average temperature exceeding the pre-industrial level by 1.5°C for the first time—the threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
Despite these challenges, momentum is building behind food systems transformation at the global, regional, and national levels. For example:
- At COP28, the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action was adopted in December 2023, calling for sustainable development of the agri-food sector and stronger collaborative measures to tackle climate change.
- In the Asia–Monsoon region, particularly Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture were adopted in October 2022, followed by the Japan–ASEAN MIDORI Cooperation Plan in October 2023.
- Ahead of COP30, in June 2025, the Japanese Government unveiled the “MIDORI Infinity” initiative (Initiative for Net-zero compatible with Food Security through International expansion of Japan’s Innovative Technology). This aims to scale up Japan’s GHG emission reduction technologies and attract decarbonization investment in the agriculture and food sectors across the Global South.
Amid these developments, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) has been implementing the Green Asia Project in collaboration with research institutes in Japan and across the Asia–Monsoon region. The project, scheduled to conclude in March 2026, has contributed to advancing research and innovation toward sustainable food systems.
Against this backdrop, the upcoming JIRCAS International Symposium 2025 will take stock of various initiatives driving food system transformation from a global perspective, with a particular focus on the Green Asia Project. The symposium will showcase key achievements and draw lessons applicable to other contexts, offering valuable insights for the future of sustainable agriculture in the region.
Event Details
Date: 27 October 2025 (Mon)
