MI’s Mekong CREATES Forum 2025 serves as a catalyst for Cambodia’s agrifood systems transformation, linking government, private sector, and local communities in pursuit of sustainability and resilience.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – October 23, 2025 – The Mekong Institute (MI), with support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT), successfully convened the Mekong CREATES Agrifood Systems Forum 2025 under the theme “Co-Creating Local Solutions for Safer, Smarter Agrifood Systems in Cambodia.” Held in alignment with World Food Day 2025 and its global call to action, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, the forum served as a national platform, bringing together leaders and innovators from across Cambodia’s agri-food landscape to advance food safety and climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive economic growth.
The forum brought together 44 key stakeholders representing national and local government agencies, farmer cooperatives, academia, private sector, and development partners. Together, they explored collaborative solutions to build safer, more sustainable, and climate-resilient agricultural systems across Cambodia’s agricultural value chains.
In his remarks, Mr. Hang Suviddya, Deputy Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Population and Development, Ministry of Planning, and the MI steering committee member, emphasized the forum’s alignment with Cambodia’s national development priorities and the GMS-2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Agri-food Transformation.
Opening the discussions, H.E. Dr. Kao Muy Thong, Deputy Secretary General of the Council for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to transforming its agrifood systems toward sustainability and resilience. He underscored that “collaboration among government, private sector, development partners, and communities is essential to ensuring safe, nutritious, and climate-smart food for all”.
The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Nhem Sareth, Country Director of Heifer International Cambodia, spotlighted innovative local partnerships and resilient farming models that are empowering smallholders and driving smarter, safer food systems.
Through interactive discussions and showcases, the forum highlighted Cambodia’s growing leadership in agricultural innovation. The sessions are organized around three key themes: Smart Practices, Safe Foods, and Inclusive Models, featured:
- Digital transformation in agriculture: agricultural cooperatives leveraging modern technology for productivity and market access.
- Food safety and quality improvement: initiatives strengthening local capacity to produce and distribute safer, high-quality products.
- Inclusive agribusinesses: women and youth-led enterprises promoting equitable and sustainable growth models.
Participants also joined Collaborative Circles, action-oriented discussions designed to integrate the One Health approach into Cambodia’s agrifood systems, connecting food safety, environmental sustainability, and public health.
A Marketplace Walkthrough showcased innovations and local products from private companies and agricultural cooperatives, creating a dynamic space for networking and collaboration.
The forum culminated in a Synthesis and Policy Harvesting Session, where participants co-developed policy recommendations to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance policy coherence, and foster multi-sectoral coordination toward a safer and more resilient agrifood system.
In his closing remarks, H.E. Dr. Kao Muy Thong reiterated Cambodia government’s dedication to building sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. He extended appreciation to MI and NZ MFAT for their continued partnership and support in advancing climate-smart agriculture and food safety across the region.
About Mekong CREATES
The Mekong Collaboration for Resilient and Equitable Agrifood System Transformation (Mekong CREATES) is a regional initiative implemented by the Mekong Institute with support from the New Zealand Government. It aims to strengthen local capacities, foster innovation, and promote cross-sector collaboration to drive inclusive and climate-resilient agrifood systems across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
