LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (9 June 2025) - Countries in the Asia Pacific region are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events that threaten agricultural production and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize are highly exposed to these challenges and are expected to suffer significant yield reduction by 2050, putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.
Southeast Asia is the world’s rice bowl, accounting for a third of the world’s rice production and 40 percent of exports, while workers in South Asia’s agrifood systems number over 793 million people. At the same time, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that around three-quarters of the Pacific population live in rural areas, relying heavily on agriculture and fishing for their livelihoods.
Achieving future food security and resilient livelihoods in these regions demands pioneering agri-science and actions tailored to specific needs.
Led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as its first Asia Champion, the CGIAR Asia Pacific Hub is a region-focused coordination platform that develops and centralizes global CGIAR innovations for South and Southeast Asia.
By aligning CGIAR centers’ work, situating teams in local time zones and agroecologies, and streamlining workflows and research approaches, the Hub will deliver more responsive and targeted support. It will facilitate cross‑center and cross‑country collaboration—for example, linking the International Potato Center’s (CIP) potato innovations and IRRI’s rice programs across borders—and connect countries to CGIAR’s global initiatives and pooled funding. The Hub can also broker partnerships for ASEAN and emerging Philippine government programs that seek partnership opportunities with CGIAR itself.
“The CGIAR Asia Pacific Hub plays a central role in IRRI's new strategy to tailor agricultural research to relevant solutions. By aligning global agri-science expertise with local priorities, the hub empowers South and Southeast Asia to lead in climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development,” said Dr. Yvonne Pinto, IRRI Director General.
“CGIAR envisions a future where science-driven innovation is developed alongside our national and local partners. The CGIAR Asia Pacific Hub is a pivotal step toward accelerating agri-food transformation,” said Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR Executive Managing Director.