The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), through its Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR), successfully co-organized the ASEAN Plant-Based Foods: Research and Policy Forum on 3-4 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was held in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Food Innopolis, and the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), Thailand.
The two-day forum brought together more than 140 researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and food-system stakeholders from across ASEAN and beyond to exchange knowledge, explore emerging opportunities, and strengthen regional collaboration on plant-based foods. Held under the theme “Understanding the Current Landscape and Shaping Future Collaboration in Southeast Asia,” the forum aimed to strengthen connections among research institutions, industry, farmers, and policymakers to accelerate innovation and the responsible development and commercialization of plant-based foods.
The forum addressed four interconnected areas critical to the development of the regional plant-based food sectors: Consumer and Market Trends; Policy and Innovation Ecosystems; Research, Science, and Emerging Technologies; and Industry Perspectives and Pathways from Research to Market.
The program opened with an overview from the forum’s Convener, Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Dean of FFANR, AIT, who highlighted the growing importance of plant-based foods in addressing emerging challenges related to food security, nutrition, health, sustainability, and economic development in Southeast Asia. This was followed by welcoming remarks from AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and NSTDA Executive Vice President Dr. Chularat Tanprasert. Both emphasized the importance of strengthening regional partnerships among academia, research organizations, government, and industry to advance science, technology, and innovation for sustainable food systems.
The morning sessions featured keynote addresses from distinguished regional leaders, including Dr. Mercy Sombilla, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippines; Dr. Sirinya Lim, Senior Division Director at the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), Thailand; and Dr. Taufik Hidayat, Director at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia.
The keynote speakers provided strategic perspectives on the current landscape and future directions of food innovation in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on the development of plant-based foods and the sustainable utilization of locally available resources. Their presentations highlighted the importance of harnessing regional and local resources, strengthening science-based evidence, advancing research and innovation, and integrating supportive policy frameworks to promote sustainable, nutritious, and market-responsive food product development across the region.
The afternoon sessions featured presentations on recent research, emerging technologies, consumer trends, and industry developments. These discussions culminated in an interactive panel discussion exploring opportunities and challenges across the “farm-to-fork” value chain. The session was moderated by Ms. Sutheera Arjcharoen, Business Development Manager at Food Innopolis and Ph.D. student in the Food Innovation, Nutrition and Health (FIBNH) Program at AIT’s FFANR.
The second day of the forum focused on targeted focus group discussions, providing participants with an opportunity to examine key regional priorities in greater depth. The discussions identified common challenges, research and innovation needs, opportunities for industry engagement, and potential areas for future regional collaboration.
A key message emerging from the forum was the need to move beyond individual initiatives and establish stronger regional connections among researchers, farmers, food industries, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and consumers.
Participants emphasised that ASEAN has a unique opportunity to build a stronger regional plant-based food ecosystem by connecting research, industry, farmers, and policy. The forum represented an important first step toward establishing a regional platform for plant-based foods in Southeast Asia. Through continued collaboration, the initiative seeks to support joint research, knowledge exchange, capacity building, technology development, industry engagement, and evidence-based policy dialogue across ASEAN.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the region, the forum reinforced AIT’s commitment to advancing science, technology, innovation, and regional partnerships for sustainable food systems. The emerging regional platform is expected to contribute to the development of a more connected and collaborative plant-based food innovation ecosystem, supporting food security, nutrition and health, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.
The successful conclusion of the forum marks only the beginning of a broader initiative. AIT and its partners look forward to continuing regional collaboration, strengthening connections across research, industry, agriculture, and policy to further advance plant-based food development throughout ASEAN.
AIT extends its sincere appreciation to all co-organizers, esteemed speakers, industry experts, researchers, policymakers, and participants who contributed to these vital discussions and helped shape the future of food in the region.