The agriculture sector in ASEAN is central to food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. However, the region faces increasing threats from climate change, environmental degradation, and unsustainable practices such as crop burning, which contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and transboundary haze. Recognizing these challenges, ASEAN Member States (AMS) have committed to achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture by 2050.

In response, the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN), established in 2014 under ATWGARD, has become a key regional
mechanism for advancing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and promoting climate resilience. Over the past decade, ASEAN-CRN has helped bring climate change and agricultural issues to the forefront of ASEAN and global agendas through policy dialogues, knowledge exchange, and multilateral partnerships.

Building on these achievements, and under the current chairmanship of Thailand, ASEAN-CRN has initiated the development of a 5-Year ASEAN Climate Resilience Program Framework (2026–2030). This framework draws on lessons from the past ten years and aims to address emerging gaps and opportunities, providing complementary regional guidance for ASEAN’s transition toward net-zero agriculture. Specifically, it seeks to scale up regional actions for climate-resilient agri-food systems and institutionalize ASEAN-CRN through the establishment of a permanent Secretariat, while exploring the potential of a formal affiliation with ASEAN. The draft Framework is structured around six strategic pillars, including climate finance, digital transformation, policy integration, and multi-stakeholder engagement, among other priorities.

To gather feedback for refinement, ASEAN-CRN will convene the “Advancing Climate-Resilient and Low-Emission Agriculture: High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN’s Path to Net-Zero” to review the draft Framework, exchange perspectives, and build commitment toward its finalization, adoption, and implementation through enhanced cooperation among AMS, development partners, and key stakeholders. Organized alongside the 47th ASEAN Meeting of Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Manila, Philippines, the dialogue, together with the Framework development, is positioned to support the AMAF agenda, where ministers are expected to deliberate on the Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FAF) Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, the complementary Food Security Action Plan, and initiatives on agroecology transitions, naturebased solutions, and crop-burning reduction.

The dialogue aligns with the priorities of the host country and current AMAF Chair, the Philippines, which has emphasized sustainability, cropburning reduction, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), regenerative and digital agriculture, soil and water conservation, and mangrove strategies. It is organized by Thailand’s Department of Agriculture (DOA) in its role as Chair of ASEAN-CRN, supported by the Mekong Institute (MI) serving as Interim Secretariat, and co-hosted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines. The event is made possible through the generous support of development partners, namely the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The side event will focus on the following key objectives:

• Socialize the ASEAN-CRN 5-Year Program Framework (2026–2030) as a regional commitment to climate-resilient agri-food systems
• Build ownership and institutional commitment for the ASEAN-CRN Secretariat and its formal affiliation with ASEAN.
• Facilitate a Commitment Roundtable, enabling AMS and development partners to express alignment and support.
• Showcase the Framework’s six strategic pillars through interactive exhibits and success stories.Strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration across ASEAN working groups and stakeholders.
• Promote innovation, knowledge exchange, and inclusive climate action, especially for smallholders and vulnerable groups.

The event is expected to be attended by 40-50 participants, comprising:

• ASEAN-CRN focal points or ATWGARD representatives
• Selected focal points from the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Crops (ASWGC)
  • Selected focal points from other relevant ASEAN working groups, including:
    • ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC)
    • ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOM-RDPE
    • ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and other gender-related working groups
• Regional and international development partners, including multilateral agencies, donor institutions, and research organizations actively engaged in CSA, low-emission agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives.