Asia-Pacific Countries Gather In Hanoi To Tackle The Future Of Livestock

Hanoi, Viet Nam – 24 March, 2026 -- Livestock systems across Asia and the Pacific are under mounting strain from climate change, environmental degradation, zoonotic diseases and rising demand for animal-source foods, even as millions of people in the region remain food insecure and unable to afford a healthy diet. Governments, scientists and development partners are meeting in Hanoi this week to examine how sustainable livestock transformation can address these overlapping challenges and help improve food security, protect public health, support livelihoods and reduce environmental pressure.

More than 150 representatives from governments, international organizations, research institutions, financial institutions and the private sector are gathering for the Regional Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation for Food Systems in Asia and the Pacific, co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam (MAE), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CIRAD.

The meeting comes at a critical moment for the region. Asia and the Pacific are home to nearly 60 percent of the global population and around 44 percent of the world’s livestock. As populations grow, cities expand and incomes rise, demand for meat, milk and other animal-source foods is increasing.

At the same time, livestock systems in the region are both contributing to and affected by climate change, environmental degradation, zoonotic threats and transboundary animal diseases, alongside growing expectations for safe and sustainably produced food.

Opening the conference, Vice Minister Phùng Đc Tin of Vietnam’s MAE emphasized the importance of collective action.

"Livestock plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods and economic growth across the region. Viet Nam is honoured to host this regional dialogue on the future of livestock systems. This conference offers countries in Asia and the Pacific an opportunity to share experiences and deepen cooperation in addressing common challenges,” he said.

Livestock supports the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers, pastoralists and others working across value chain in Asia and the Pacific. It is also a key source of protein and micronutrients for many households.

“One in five people in Asia still faces moderate or severe food insecurity, and many households cannot afford a healthy diet. This conference gives the region an opportunity to bring Asia and the Pacific’s perspective and priorities into the global process and Plan of Action on sustainable livestock transformation,” said Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “This transformation is essential to improve food security and protect the environment and public health."

Researchers say the solutions already exist. Climate-smart livestock practices, One Health, better feed management, and stronger food safety standards can significantly reduce environmental impacts while improving productivity.

However, scaling these solutions remains a major challenge, often due to fragmented policies, limited coordination between countries and gaps between scientific research, investment and implementation.

Siboniso Moyo, Deputy Director General of ILRI, said the conference aims to bridge those gaps. "Science and innovation are key to transforming livestock systems. Research on animal health, climate-smart livestock and One Health can help countries improve productivity while managing disease risks and environmental pressures," she said.

François Roger, Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia at CIRAD, stressed the value of scientific cooperation to solve complex challenges. "Research partnerships help develop solutions adapted to diverse farming systems and support inclusive and sustainable livestock transformation," he said.

By the end of the meeting, participants are expected to identify priorities for research, policy coordination and investment to support a regional pathway for sustainable livestock transformation. These recommendations are expected to help guide future cooperation in the region and contribute to global efforts to transform livestock systems as part of broader food system transitions.

© Scoop Media