On 19-24 May 2024, AFSIS Secretariat was invited to attend the Thirtieth Session of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS30) This meeting was honorably hosted by Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and its National Statistics Office. The session was attended by 115 participants including 78 delegates from 31 APCAS member countries 4 non-member countries, and 37 observers from 6 organizations.
2 representatives from AFSIS Secretariat attended the meeting as observers which were Mr. Charapon Chantorn, Deputy AFSIS Manager, and Mr. Yasuhiro Miyake AFSIS Expert
The core purposes of the meeting are to discuss the development of food and agricultural statistics in FAO member countries of the Asia and Pacific region and to be informed about FAO activities during the preceding biennium, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region.
The prominent themes of APCAS30 focused on the progress and new developments measuring farm-based Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators, using earth observations for food and agriculture statistics, using innovations in agriculture censuses, and the measurement of food security and nutrition statistics.
The meeting went well, and AFSIS will discuss FAO, participating countries, and organizations' experiences, challenges, and innovations in developing and implementing food and agriculture statistical projects to strengthen food security information in the ASEAN region and develop capacity building in ASEAN member countries.
In late November and early December 2024, Malaysia and southern Thailand experienced severe flooding and heavy rainfall, which caused widespread damage, including landslides and agricultural devastation. In Malaysia, 25 districts across seven states were severely impacted, with households evacuated and extensive flooding reported. Similarly, southern Thailand experienced heavy rains and flash flooding, particularly in provinces affecting over 136,000 households. The floods severely damaged agricultural sectors, with significant losses in paddy rice and other crops, amounting to millions of dollars in damages in both countries. In response, both nations initiated emergency measures, including providing aid and conducting damage assessments. Malaysia focused on intensive assistance to affected households, while Thailand mobilized a range of relief efforts, including specialized equipment and emergency vehicles, to support flood-stricken regions. The agricultural losses in both countries highlight the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and more resilient agricultural systems.
The tropical cyclones that impacted the Philippines in November 2024, including Yinxing, Oraji, Usagi, and Man-Yi, have caused widespread devastation across several provinces, resulting in heavy rainfall, severe winds, flooding, and significant agricultural damage. These storms have left communities grappling with extensive losses, including damaged crops, disrupted livelihoods, and displacement. Despite the severe impacts, the government of the Philippines, along with international aid from neighboring countries and global partners, has mobilized resources for relief and recovery. The ongoing efforts to assist those affected highlight the resilience of the Filipino people and the importance of continued preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
On 26-27 November 2024, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, the AFSIS Manager, participated in the 30th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-30), held in Perth, Australia. This event was co-organized by the Australian Space Agency (ASA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The forum's focus was to bring together stakeholders from various space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing regional issues through space-based solutions.
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 22:57 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, erupted on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, The eruption, lasting 24 minutes (1,450 seconds), was recorded with a massive amplitude of 47.3 mm. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, a strong eruption sent ash up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), affecting over 10,000 people. Smaller eruptions followed on November 5-6. In response, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the volcano’s alert status to “Awas” (Level IV), indicating a high danger level.
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