Laos, other FAO nations to mull effects of COVID-19, climate change on farming

Laos is set to be among 46 FAO Member Nations in Asia and the Pacific attending a video conference to chart a course for securing food systems and mitigating the effects of COVID-19 and climate change on agriculture.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Member Nations, along with the private sector and civil society organisations, will discuss a way forward during the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (#APRC35) in virtual mode, from September 1-4.
The Royal Government of Bhutan is hosting and chairing the biennial event.

According to the FAO, the arrival of the novel coronavirus has had a great impact on agriculture and food systems in Asia and the Pacific, a region already beset by climate and weather-related challenges, such as droughts and flooding.
Supply chains have been disrupted, and demand has dropped for certain foods, resulting in damage to nutrition, health and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people in this, the world’s most populous region.  

While some parts of East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific have experienced, relatively, less of an impact, the COVID-19 contagion continues to ravage many countries in the region. In addition to the threats on life, the effect of lockdowns and restricted movements have devastated the livelihoods of millions, increased acute hunger and set back progress toward achieving the world’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-1 and SDG-2 (ending poverty and ending malnutrition).

More than ever, innovation and increased use of existing and new technology will be needed to respond to the risks and challenges to food systems posed by the spread of the coronavirus and the need to better manage natural resources sustainably in the face of climate change. A new approach to partnerships will also be required.

News: Vientiane Times