February 6, 2026 – Experts representing ministries, research institutes, and development partners from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) convened online to collaborate on developing policy briefs aimed at informing GMS leaders in addressing shared challenges in agrifood systems. Organized by the Mekong Institute (MI) in its role as regional coordinator of the GMS Knowledge Network in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, the session equipped participants to jointly produce concise, evidence-based, and policy-oriented outputs to guide decision-making towards sustainable agrifood systems in the subregion. 

Opening the session, MI Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn explained that the policy briefs will serve as tools to bridge research, policy, and implementation, supporting the GMS 2030 Strategy. “This policy brief initiative is not the work of a single institution. It is the result of a regional knowledge network coming together to translate research into action. By working collaboratively across GMS countries, we ensure that our recommendations reflect shared realities and contribute meaningfully to advancing the GMS program,” he said. 

The online session, through breakout rooms, activated three cross-country Communities of Practice (CoPs) to sustain collaboration among Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It aligned more than 50 participants and Network members on the phased policy brief development process, including roles, timelines, and expectations ahead of a Knowledge Café in April 2026 in Hanoi, Viet Nam. 

Providing detailed guidance, Dr. Andreas Brandner, Senior Consultant supporting the GMS Knowledge Network, clarified that participants are not expected to arrive in Hanoi with 90 percent of the work already completed. Instead, members are encouraged to come prepared with a clear scope and solid background to meaningfully engage the wider expert community. He explained that the Knowledge Café will serve as a structured consultation to refine problem statements, validate evidence, sharpen recommendations, and guide drafting and peer review prior to final publication. 

By June 2026, the Network aims to publish three policy briefs focused on three thematic areas: sustainable value chains for agrifood systems, emission reduction in the agrifood sector and knowledge and innovation for sustainable agrifoods system transformation. Each brief seeks to translate the work of the CoPs into concise, credible, and actionable recommendations. The publications are also meant to demonstrate the Network’s role as a source of policy-relevant knowledge.  The policy briefs will be presented to the GMS Working Group on Agriculture to inform policy considerations for its ongoing and future initiatives. 

Dr. Seetha Ram, Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Center for Spatial Information Science and Fellow at the ADB Institute, was one of the speakers during the online session. He commended the policy brief initiative and encouraged its alignment with broader GMS strategic priorities. He urged the Network to move beyond academic analysis and directly address policy gaps while supporting existing cooperation frameworks.  

Dr. Seetha Ram advised maintaining clarity and discipline in scope, cautioning against overly broad coverage. He stressed that the briefs should be framed through a regional cooperation lens, highlighting cross-border dimensions and opportunities for collective action. 

About the GMS Knowledge Network 

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Knowledge Network is envisioned to facilitate building of knowledge and capacity in specific development topics related to stimulating economic growth and fostering regional cooperation in the GMS. 

The GMS Knowledge Network (GMS KN) aims to: 

• Develop a growing network of experts and practitioners to provide expertise, stimulate discussion, and raise awareness on emerging issues in the subregion.  

• Coordinate and synthesize research and policy advice, promote best practices, and translate knowledge into concrete policy actions and private sector opportunities.  

• Advance the knowledge and innovation ecosystems in the member countries and transform them into sustainable knowledge societies 

For more information on GMS KN, visit: www.greatermekong.org/g/knowledge-network