Ha Noi, Viet Nam, October 24, 2025 — The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Knowledge Network (GMSKN), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and coordinated by the Mekong Institute (MI), successfully delivered a five-day training course on “Knowledge and Innovation Management: Advancing the Agrifood Systems Transformation”, held from October 20-24, in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

The training brought together 30 participants from government institutions, academia, think tanks and the private sector across the six GMS countries. The program aimed to strengthen the capacities of professionals and institutions to effectively apply Knowledge and Innovation Management (KIM) as a strategic tool for promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems transformation in the subregion.

“Knowledge-based solutions must be at the heart of the GMS Program,” stated Mr. Antonio Ressano, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank. “The GMS countries and their knowledge institutions are increasingly expanding their capacity for knowledge generation and management, with advanced knowledge centers emerging across the subregion. The purpose of the GMS Knowledge Network is to bring these centers together to support the GMS Program. We hope this course provides participants with practical tools and methods to enhance knowledge and innovation management in their respective institutions,” said Mr. Antonio Ressano, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank. Across the subregion, knowledge institutions are rapidly expanding their capacity, with advanced centers emerging to lead innovation and learning. The GMS Knowledge Network is designed to connect these centers and support regional collaboration. We hope this course equips participants with practical tools to strengthen knowledge and innovation management within their organizations.”

Building on this perspective, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute and Regional Coordinator of the GMS Knowledge Network, presented the broader strategic framework guiding regional cooperation on knowledge and innovation. He highlighted that the GMS Knowledge Network’s efforts are anchored in the GMS Innovation Strategy for Development 2030 and the Kunming Strategic Framework for Agrifood Systems Transformation — both of which emphasize innovation, digitalization, and sustainability as key drivers of regional growth and integration.

“Knowledge and innovation are at the heart of the GMS Innovation Strategy for Development 2030, which envisions the subregion as a dynamic hub of creativity, connectivity, and green transition,” said Mr. Suriyan. “In alignment with the Kunming Strategic Framework for Agrifood Systems Transformation, the GMS Knowledge Network and its Knowledge for Innovation 2025 program work to strengthen cooperation among regional knowledge institutions and bridge research with policy and action. This integrated approach will help translate knowledge into tangible solutions that advance sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agrifood systems — contributing directly to the broader goals of the GMS 2030 framework.”

Building the Foundations of Knowledge and Innovation Management

To establish a solid conceptual grounding, Dr. Andreas Brandner, Lead Trainer from Knowledge for Development Partnerships and Prof. Eric Tsui,Co-trainer from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, guided participants through key theories, standards, and frameworks in knowledge and innovation management. These sessions introduced participants to essential concepts such as governance structures, ISO standards, and innovation ecosystems that underpin effective KIM systems within organizations.

Guest speakers shared global and regional perspectives on agricultural knowledge networks. Mr. Benjamin Abugri from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) discussed Africa’s experience with knowledge-driven development, while experts from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and Mekong Regional Extension Alliance (MELA) shared institutional best practices.  These exchanges helped participants understand how KIM concepts can be contextualized and applied to regional realities.

From Concept to Practice: Applying KIM Methods and Tools

Building on the conceptual foundation, participants explored practical KIM tools and approaches adaptable to their institutional contexts. Prof. Tsui shared lessons from over 200 KM projects implemented by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, highlighting real-world success factors, challenges, and strategies for balancing structured systems with adaptive innovation. His sessions illustrated how effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and leadership are critical to sustaining institutional learning and innovation.

Leveraging Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence

As part of the training’s forward-looking focus, Dr. Vincent Ribiere, Managing Director of the Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia (IKI-SEA) at Bangkok University, led sessions on digital platforms and AI tools supporting KIM. He demonstrated how emerging technologies can enhance knowledge creation, capture, and sharing — making knowledge more accessible, actionable, and data-driven.

In breakout sessions, participants identified pathways for integrating digital transformation and AI into their own organizational systems, exploring how these technologies can complement human expertise to improve efficiency and impact. 

“This training was very useful and relevant to my work,” shared one participant. “The content — from basic to advanced — combined theory and practice, helping me feel confident in applying knowledge management in the food sector. The trainers were also engaging and encouraged group discussions. I especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with peers from across the region.”

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Agrifood Systems Transformation

Balancing innovation with tradition, Dr. Yang Hongyan from the Yunnan Academy of Science and Technology Development shared her research on traditional tea forest management in Yunnan Province, China. Her presentation illustrated how indigenous knowledge contributes to biodiversity, sustainability, and local livelihoods.

This session prompted reflection among participants on the value of the GMS’s own rich reservoir of traditional wisdom — emphasizing that true innovation blends modern science with time-tested community knowledge to achieve more inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems.

Looking Ahead: From Learning to Policy Action

By the end of the training, country groups identified priority topics for policy briefs to be developed under the KFI initiative. These will serve as foundations for country-led policy recommendations supporting regional integration and agrifood systems transformation.

To sustain the momentum, the GMS Knowledge Network will convene Knowledge Cafés and a Policy Brief Development Workshop in January 2026. These sessions will help refine policy ideas and translate learning into actionable strategies for governments and institutions across the subregion.