Opening ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Webinar Series

To support the ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication 2021–2025, the Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE), with support from the ASEAN Secretariat, launched a webinar series to promote knowledge-sharing across the region. The first session, held on 16 May 2025 and co-organised by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) of the Philippines and the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA) Philippines, focused on integrating the ASEAN Guidelines on Responsible Agricultural Investment (AGRAI) into rural development strategies. The event convened government officials, civil society groups, and private sector actors to explore how AGRAI principles, such as inclusivity, climate resilience, and transparency, can be translated into national and local policies.

Participants of the first ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Webinar Series

Speakers from Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Grow Asia shared country experiences and organisational initiatives aligned with AGRAI, spotlighting the role of youth, women, and smallholder farmers. Development partners like the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are also contributing to the discussion by emphasising the importance of local financing, tailored capacity-building, and youth engagement in agriculture. The webinar reinforced the value of responsible investment in advancing rural development and poverty reduction across ASEAN. Looking forward, the ASEAN Secretariat, RDI, and other partners will continue this webinar series throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming sessions!

Written by: Nadira Alyssa (Outreach Coordinator)