ICRAF and SEARCA share common interest in helping the ASEAN Member States (AMS) realize green economic growth by addressing the ecological impact of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) infrastructure investments. They will collaborate in developing and generating support for the proposed program Greening the ASEAN economic corridors: Mitigating risks and securing gains for food security, environmental services, and social cohesion. The program is set to evaluate the benefits and trade-offs of ASEAN’s economic corridors for biodiversity, food security, agriculture, environmental services, and social cohesion in the AMS that are at high risk from targeted infrastructure and economic investment. Through the proposed program, practical, inclusive and scalable options for achieving sustainable and productive landscapes will be developed.
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a CGIAR Consortium Research Centre, generates science-based knowledge about the diverse benefits – both direct and indirect – of agroforestry, or trees in farming systems and agricultural landscapes, and disseminates this knowledge to develop policy options and promote practices that improve livelihoods and benefit the environment.
SEARCA Officials led by Director Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. and Research and Development Department Program Head, Dr. Bessie M. Burgos, briefed Dr. Öborn about SEARCA, its strategic thrusts and operations, and the ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) Strategic Response Fund (ASRF).
Also present in the meeting were Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma and Dr. Mariliza V. Ticsay, SEARCA’s Program Head for Graduate Education and Institutional Development and Unit Head for Knowledge Resources, respectively, as well as Ms. Mary Ann A. Batas, ASRF Project Coordinator, and Ms. Maria Katrina R. Punto, Research Assistant from SEARCA’s Research and Development Department. (Ediza A. Decena)