On 18–19 November 2025, in Cebu City, the Republic of the Philippines, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat, represented by Mr. Charapon Chantorn, Deputy AFSIS Manager, participated in the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31). The Forum serves as a key platform for promoting regional cooperation in space technology throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It was co-organized by the Philippines Space Agency (PhilSA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The APRSAF-31 aimed to strengthen international collaboration on the utilization of space technologies to enhance economic and social benefits, as well as to highlight the role of space applications as an essential driver of sustainable development.
During the Meeting, Mr. Charapon joined the Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit Working Group (SAWG) and delivered a presentation on “Satellite Data and AI Technology for Crop Area Estimation and Growth Condition Monitoring under the AFSIS" the presentation highlighted on the application of satellite data and remote sensing technology in producing the Rice Growing Outlook (RGO) and Maize Growing Outlook (MGO), as well as the use of the INAHOR system for estimating rice planted areas, is an essential tool for monitoring agricultural production across Southeast Asia.
He also emphasized AFSIS’s efforts in capacity building through training programs on the use of the JASMAI and INAHOR systems, aimed at enhancing the ability of ASEAN member state officers to utilize satellite data for agricultural planning and decision-making.
In addition, Mr. Charapon presented updates on AFSIS’s new initiative supported by MAFF of Japan, the Project for ASEAN Food Security Information System – Geospatial Informatization Support (AFSIS-GIS Project), which will be implemented over the next three years (2025-2028) to strengthen further geospatial applications within ASEAN’s food security information systems.
The APRSAF-31 underscored the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint capacity enhancement to advance sustainable food security across ASEAN member states.
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On 13–15 January 2026, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Thailand, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan, and the AFSIS Secretariat, conducted the 1st Meeting of Japan–Thailand Expert Dialogue on Agricultural Statistics. The meeting was held at the Office of Agricultural Economics and field survey activities in Chonburi Province.
On 3–4 December 2025, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat participated in the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Table Top Exercise (TTX) held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
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AFSIS and Development of Human Resources" in Cambodia On 27 November 2025, Mr. Charapon Chantorn, Deputy AFSIS Manager, participated in the Completion and Handover Ceremony of the project “Establishing the Real-Time ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and Development of Human Resources, Phase 3 – Pilot Project on Strategic Crop Forecasting System for Food Security in Cambodia.” The ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and jointly hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC).
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In October 2025, tropical cyclones Matmo and Fengshen caused widespread devastation across the Philippines, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and parts of Thailand. In response, the Vietnamese government allocated finances in aid, while the Philippines evacuated thousands of residents and received EU humanitarian assistance, with both countries reinforcing disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
