SEARCA to convene regional leaders for ARD Conference 2026

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will bring together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private sector leaders, farmers’ groups, and other stakeholders for the Third International Conference on Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD) in Southeast Asia on 2–3 December 2026 at Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines.

With the theme “Policy Pathways for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Southeast Asia,” the ARD Conference 2026 will serve as a regional platform to advance resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems.

Organized as a flagship event of SEARCA’s 60th Anniversary, the conference will feature keynote presentations, plenary discussions, fireside chats, and high-level policy dialogues on inclusive value chains, nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems, climate-resilient agriculture, and digital innovation.

Anchored on SEARCA’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan and its SUSTAIN Southeast Asia agenda, the conference discussions will contribute to the Center’s four development outcomes: Pocket, Plate, Place, and People, while advancing regional efforts toward more productive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

Specifically, the conference will review regional progress, identify scalable solutions for agrifood systems transformation, align policies and investments with common development goals, and strengthen collaboration and peer learning among Southeast Asian countries.

ARD Conference 2026 will feature keynote presentations, plenary discussions, fireside chats, and high-level policy dialogues organized around four strategic themes: (1) strengthening inclusive agrifood value chains and expanding access to finance and markets; (2) promoting nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets; (3) accelerating the transition to climate-resilient, inclusive, and nature-positive agricultural systems; and (4) leveraging digital innovation to empower farmers, youth, and women and increase agricultural productivity.

For more information, visit www.searca.org/ard-2026.