The Mekong Institute (MI) joined leading experts, policymakers, academic researchers, students, and practitioners from across the Lancang–Mekong Subregion (LMS) at the 9th Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) International Colloquium on “Agricultural Technology for BCG Economy Development,” held on November 13, 2025, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Hosted by Suranaree University of Technology, the Colloquium forms part of the project “Empowering Sustainable Agriculture in the Lancang–Mekong Subregion: Integrating Biofertilizer for Economic Crop Production and Food Processing for Technology Transfer towards a BCG Economy,” supported by the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Fund.
The event served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and regional collaboration, underscoring how innovation, agricultural technology, and integrated biofertilizer solutions can drive bio-circular-green (BCG) economic growth across the LMS.
Driving Agrifood Transformation in the GMS
Ms. Orn-uma Polpanich, Director of MI’s Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the growing urgency to transform the region’s agrifood systems to become more competitive, climate-resilient, and sustainable.
She referenced the shared vision reaffirmed at the 22nd GMS Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) Annual Meeting 2025 held in August in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, noting its alignment with the GMS Kunming Strategic Framework 2030—the regional roadmap for achieving inclusive, innovative, and sustainable agrifood systems by the end of the decade.
“While progress is evident, agriculture must accelerate to outpace climate risks and inequalities,” Ms. Orn-uma stated. “Transformation requires not only technology, but also enabling policies, inclusive institutions, and vibrant partnerships.”
Six Pathways for Sustainable Agrifood Transformation
Drawing from the Kunming Strategic Framework 2030, Ms. Orn-uma outlined six transformative pathways essential for advancing agrifood transformation in the GMS:
- Policy and Governance: Promote harmonized standards, stronger food safety systems, and climate-smart regulations.
- Institutions: Strengthen research, extension, financing mechanisms, and inclusive access for women, youth, and SMEs.
- Markets: Deepen private-sector engagement to expand trade, value chains, and cross-border market linkages.
- Consumers: Build demand for safe, sustainable, and responsibly produced food.
- Innovation and Technology: Mainstream digital solutions, financial innovation, and carbon market mechanisms.
- Partnerships: Foster synergy across regional frameworks—GMS, ACMECS, LMC, and ASEAN—to drive collaborative action and shared prosperity.
“Transformation cannot be achieved in isolation,” she emphasized. “Strong partnerships, integrated approaches, and shared commitment are the foundations of a resilient and sustainable agrifood future.”
Ms. Orn-uma reiterated MI’s role as a regional knowledge hub and catalyst for collective action, supporting governments, the private sector, development partners, and key stakeholders through policy facilitation, research, technology transfer, and partnership building.
“MI stands ready to help translate this vision into action, aligning with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy framework to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region,” she added.
About the Colloquium
Hosted by Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), the International Colloquium reflects the university’s continuing commitment to sustainable and technology-driven agricultural development. The 2025 edition showcased innovations in biofertilizer integration and food processing for economic crops, reinforcing the critical role of science, technology, and regional cooperation in advancing a sustainable BCG economy throughout the Lancang–Mekong Subregion.
