On 22–23 October 2025, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, successfully convened The AFSIS Special Workshop in Tokyo, Japan.
The meeting includes the representatives from the 10 ASEAN Member States and the Plus Three countries People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Japan participated in the Workshop. In addition, representatives from relevant organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) also attended the event.
The main objectives of the Workshop were to present the achievements of the Strengthening ASEAN Food Security Information System Function for Emergency (SAFER) Project, introduce the implementation plan of the AFSIS-GIS Project (2025–2028) supported by MAFF Japan, and discuss strategies to strengthen AFSIS’s operational and financial sustainability. The Workshop also served as a platform for participants to deliberate on possible future cooperation frameworks and approaches to enhance AFSIS’s long-term stability.
On this occasion, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager, delivered the welcome remarks and presented the recent progress of AFSIS activities, the 2025 work plan, and the proposed directions to ensure the organization’s sustainability in the future.
Furthermore, the Workshop provided an opportunity for representatives from ASEAN and Plus Three countries to exchange views on the financial mechanisms and sustainability of AFSIS, considering the needs of each member country and potential approaches to broaden AFSIS’s funding base toward becoming a permanent mechanism.
The Workshop concluded with active participation and constructive discussions from all representatives. All participating countries expressed their shared recognition of the importance of AFSIS in strengthening regional food security and statistical cooperation. No country raised objections regarding the significance of AFSIS or the proposed directions for its short-term and long-term sustainability. It was emphasized that the sustainability of AFSIS involves not only financial aspects but also continuous technical collaboration, capacity building, and strong partnerships among ASEAN+3.
On 18 February 2026, the AFSIS Secretariat participated in the international event Google’s “Impact of AI on Global Agriculture,” organized by Google.org at Roseate House, Aerocity, New Delhi, India.
On 12-13 February 2026, the AFSIS Secretariat, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Japan and the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture Cooperatives (MOAC), conducted a workshop conducted a workshop The Promoting Rice Planted Area and Production Estimation Using INAHOR and Space-based Technologies in Thailand at the Meeting Room 2, Innovation Building, 3rd FL, Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE)
The In-Country Workshop on Promoting Rice Planted Area and Production Estimation Using Space-based Technologies in Lao PDR was jointly organized by AFSIS Secretariat, JAXA, MAFF Japan, and MAE Lao PDR under the AFSIS-GIS and SAFE projects. The event was held in Vientiane with hands-on training on 9 February 2026 and a workshop on 10 February 2026.
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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.
