Discussing solutions for to transform livestock sector in Asia and the Pacific

A regional conference on sustainable livestock transformation for food systems in Asia and the Pacific, which is slated to transprire on March 24 and 25 by MAE, ILRI, FAO, CIRAD is expected to bring together around 150 delegates from various countries and international organizations to seek solutions that promote efficient livestock development, climate adaptation, and food security.

Asia, home to nearly 60% of the world’s population, is experiencing rapid changes in its agricultural and food systems. In this context, the livestock sector plays an important role in regional economies, contributing between 18 and 30% of agricultural GDP in many countries.

Demand for livestock products continues to grow, with the private sector playing an increasingly prominent role. However, the sector is also facing numerous challenges, including climate change, environmental pressures, shifting consumer demand, and increasing constraints on land and water resources.

Across South Asia and Southeast Asia, countries are seeking evidence-based pathways to improve production efficiency, reduce climate impacts, and promote equitable development in the livestock sector. Nevertheless, fragmented policies, limited regional coordination, and gaps between scientific research, practical implementation, and investment remain major barriers.

Pacific island countries are facing similar challenges and are working to harmonize regional strategies to promote sustainable livestock development.

The conference aims to establish a shared agenda for developing sustainable livestock systems that contribute to transforming food systems across Asia and the Pacific. The event is expected to bring together representatives from government ministries, regional organizations, research institutions, development partners, businesses, producer organizations, and civil society groups working in livestock and food systems.

Over two days of discussions, delegates will identify priority challenges and opportunities for which coordinated action among countries could accelerate the transformation of the livestock sector. The conference will also serve as a platform to share sustainable livestock solutions and to foster dialogue among policymakers, private-sector actors, and technical partners to explore opportunities for harmonized policies, joint investments, and stronger regional collaboration platforms.

Key discussions will focus on themes such as food security and nutrition, rural livelihoods and inclusive economic development, animal health through the One Health approach, as well as climate action and biodiversity conservation.

Through these discussions, the conference will highlight the role of livestock systems in improving the availability, access, and affordability of nutritious foods, strengthening rural livelihoods, particularly for smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups, and enhancing the capacity to respond to transboundary animal diseases and zoonotic risks.

Delegates will also examine how the livestock sector can contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation while supporting biodiversity conservation, ensuring a balance between productivity, sustainability, and resilience across diverse production systems.

Expected outcomes of the conference include an updated overview of key challenges and priorities for the livestock sector in the region; documentation of country-specific bottlenecks and promising practices to advance the One Health approach; and recommendations for a regional action plan for sustainable livestock transformation.

These recommendations are expected to address research priorities, policy directions, field implementation, and resource mobilization to support the sector’s transformation across the region.

The conference also aims to strengthen stakeholder linkages and partnerships to foster sustainable livestock development in the long term.

The event will be co-hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.