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| Delegates gather in Brunei Darussalam on Monday for the 38th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. |
FAO warns of food crisis across Asia-Pacific
The Food and Agriculture Organisation is warning that drought, fertiliser costs, and inflation threaten food security for Asia-Pacific’s 285 million undernourished people.
The warning came as the Senior Officers’ Meeting of the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific opened in Bandar Seri Begawan on April 20.
Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Alue Dohong, said overlapping crises are placing growing pressure on agrifood systems.
“We meet at a critical juncture. The convergent crises facing our region at present — from geopolitical disruptions to climate shocks — demand that we move with urgency to reshape agrifood systems that are efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable,” Dohong was quoted as saying.
“This conference is an opportunity to align and coordinate policy responses and long-term investments that will determine whether we can end hunger and improve livelihoods in Asia and the Pacific,” he added.
Senior government representatives from across the region are attending the three-day meeting to outline policy direction ahead of a ministerial session later this week.
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 42 percent of the world’s undernourished population, or about 285 million people.
Nearly one billion people face food insecurity, while more than 1.2 billion cannot afford a healthy diet, according to the FAO.
The region is also dealing with a triple burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and rising obesity.
Mr Dohong said climate change, including drought and floods, along with geopolitical tensions, are disrupting fertiliser supply, energy markets and trade flows.
These pressures are increasing costs and making it harder for countries to secure stable food supplies.
Laos is facing similar pressures, with the government highlighting a “5F crisis” — food, feed, fuel, fertiliser and finance — in its national food systems action plan.
The spiralling price of fuel and fertiliser has increased production costs for farmers, while limited access to finance has made it harder for rural communities to sustain agricultural activities.
At the same time, higher food prices are placing pressure on households, particularly low-income families, as they struggle to afford basic and nutritious food.
Mr Dohong urged countries to strengthen South-South and Triangular Cooperation and build partnerships with financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
He added that investment should focus on smallholder and family farmers who are most at risk.
Topics on the agenda include access to affordable diets, low-carbon agriculture, trade integration, and financing for agrifood systems.
The ministerial session will begin on April 23, led by the Crown Prince of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibini His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
Further discussions will cover innovation, animal diseases, aquatic food systems, and the bioeconomy.
By Times Reporters
(Latest UpdateApril 21, 2026)
