Agriculture

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GMS-2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems

The GMS-2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems (GMS 2030 KSFTAS) addresses the evolving needs of the subregion’s agricultural sector, while aligning with broader GMS cooperation initiatives. It outlines a strategy for transforming the agrifood trade as a crucial economic driver through sustainable farming systems, low-carbon and climate resilient value chains, digital technologies, and financing mechanisms to enhance livelihoods, reduce food loss, and meet the rising demand for safe, highquality, and green products.

3rd GMS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting

The 3rd GMS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-3) was held on 19–22 November 2024 in Kunming, PRC. The meeting focused on transforming agrifood systems to be more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. The ministers and heads of delegations endorsed the GMS 2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems, setting an ambitious course for agriculture in the GMS, and issued the Joint Ministerial Statement.

 

Agriculture is the backbone of the Greater Mekong Subregion’s economies where over 60% of the subregion’s 340 million people engage in small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods—supporting nearly 200 million individuals.

GMS-2030 Agriculture Agenda

Guided by the GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030), the subregion’s agriculture agenda promotes higher food safety and quality standards for expanding exports, for which an alignment of policies and standards are required in the subregion. It encourages climate- and environment-friendly production practices throughout the value chain and sustaining natural resources with a focus on small-scale farmers and micro, small, and medium-sized agro-enterprises. GMS-2030 also supports food security response and recovery efforts in response to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on agricultural supply chains.

GMS-2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems

The GMS-2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems (GMS 2030 KSFTAS), endorsed at the 3rd GMS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in November 2024 in Kunming, People’s Republic of China, addresses the evolving needs of the subregion’s agricultural sector, while aligning with broader GMS cooperation initiatives. It provides a roadmap for transforming the agrifood trade as a crucial economic driver through sustainable farming systems, low-carbon and climate resilient value chains, digital technologies, and financing mechanisms to enhance livelihoods, reduce food loss, and meet the rising demand for safe, high quality, and green products.

GMS 2030 KSFTAS Theory of Change
Source: GMS 2030 KSFTA, p. 44

The GMS 2030 KSFTAS is implemented through four strategic pillars: (i) policy and governance, (ii) knowledge-based solutions, (iii) market and behavior transformation, and (iv) infrastructure and investments.

The GMS 2030 KSFTAS extends the objectives of the earlier Strategy for Promoting Safe and Environment Friendly Agro-Based Value Chains in the GMS, which emphasized the promotion of safe and environment-friendly agriculture products, supported value chain integration, and the inclusion of smallholder farmers, women, and small and medium-sized agro-enterprises.

GMS Working Group on Agriculture

Established in 2002, the Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) has been working toward the implementation of priority agriculture projects. The working group currently implements and monitors the GMS 2030 KSFTAS.

Key Agriculture Resources


Contact Persons

Focal Persons at the Asian Development Bank

  • Omer Zafar 
    Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist

  • Renalyn Asuncion Padilla
    Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office
    Sectors Group

Other Concerned Staff & Consultants

  • Asadullah Sumbal 
    Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit
    Southeast Asia Department 

  • Rafaelita Jamon 
    Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit
    Southeast Asia Department/GMS Secretariat 

Send inquiries to GMS CCESP Secretariat and GMS Secretariat. 

The Joint Declaration adopted at the 11th CLV Summit provides a foundation for the socio-economic development plan until 2030. Photo by VNA.

11th CLV Summit Commits to Strengthen Development Triangle Area

Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam (CLV) Leaders expressed their firm commitment to strengthen the CLV Development Triangle Area (DTA) in order to accelerate economic growth, alleviate poverty, and promote socio-cultural progress in the subregion. At the 11th CLV Summit held online on 9 December, they adopted a Joint Declaration that provides a foundation for the subregion’s socio-economic development plan until 2030 and the Tourism Development Plan. They also adopted the Development Plan for Sustainable Rubber Industry.  

The 9th ACMECS Summit Declaration emphasized post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and preparation for future crises. Photo by OCM.

9th ACMECS Summit Declaration Focuses on Post-pandemic Recovery

Leaders of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam adopted the Phnom Penh declaration at the 9th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit held on 9 December. The declaration emphasizes post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and preparation for future crises and challenges through public health cooperation and enhanced supply chains. ACMECS leaders stressed the importance of vaccine multilateralism to ensure equitable and safe access to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.