𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐀 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜

From the mountains of Bhutan to the shores of Tuvalu, countries across Asia and the Pacific face a common challenge: transforming their agrifood systems to meet growing demand while protecting natural resources for future generations.
I have witnessed this challenge firsthand in conversations with national leaders who are managing shrinking arable land and rising food prices. I have also spoken with local communities whose livelihoods depend on increasingly fragile ecosystems. The pressures are real and increasing. Climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are placing great strain on agrifood systems- the interconnected activities and actors involved in producing, processing, distributing, and consuming food.
At the same time, there is a growing sense of opportunity. Across the region, governments are advancing ambitious plans focused on efficiency, inclusion, and resilience.
This is the focus of the Hand-in-Hand Investment Dialogue for Asia and the Pacific, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), taking place from June 18 to 20, 2025, in Bangkok. More than an event, the Dialogue brings together ministers, state secretaries, national planners, international financial institutions, private sector partners, and development agencies to align national priorities with concrete investment opportunities.
At the heart of this effort is FAO’s Hand-in-Hand initiative, a country-led, data-driven approach to accelerate inclusive, market-based agrifood system transformation. Countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu have adopted this model, bringing proposals and political commitment to the table.
In Nepal, through the Hand-in-Hand initiative, targeted investments are helping smallholder farmers adopt climate-resilient rice varieties and improve irrigation systems, increasing both yields and income stability despite changing weather patterns. In Papua New Guinea, similar efforts support diversification into high-value crops, enhancing resilience to market and climate shocks.
The timing could not be more urgent.
As many countries transition from Least Developed Country status, concessional finance is becoming scarce. Meanwhile, traditional donor support continues to decline even as challenges grow.
With strategic investment, countries can restore degraded landscapes, protect vital ecosystems, and move toward low-emission agrifood systems that are resilient and sustainable. However, investment alone is not enough. The Dialogue aims to strengthen partnerships, connecting national leadership with development banks, climate finance mechanisms, and private sector innovators to build the policy frameworks, institutional capacities, and digital innovations needed to turn investment into lasting impact.
Most importantly, this Dialogue is only the beginning. It will serve as a launchpad for continued engagement leading up to the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum at the World Food Forum in Rome this October, where countries will present fully developed investment cases to a global audience of financial institutions and development partners.
Over the years, the region has shown remarkable capacity for transformative change- from economic growth to advances in health, education, and poverty reduction. With coordinated action, political commitment, and the right investments, agrifood systems can follow the same path, delivering improved nutrition and resilience for generations to come.
The time to act is now. The future of food and the livelihoods of millions depend on it.

Mr Alue Dohong, Assistant Director – General
and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations