Bangkok, 15 September 2026: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe met with Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand and a member of ERIA’s Governing Board, to exchange views on food security, sustainability, and supply chain resilience as potential priorities for regional economic co-operation.

The discussion highlighted food security as an increasingly important issue for ASEAN, particularly as climate pressures, including El Niño, affect agricultural production, food availability, and prices across the region.

Both sides discussed how food security could be linked to wider economic opportunities, including functional foods, bioplastics, cosmetics, vitamins, sustainable agriculture, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The meeting also explored Thailand’s and ASEAN’s potential to develop practical models for food security co-operation, including approaches that could strengthen supply chains, improve market stability, and support long-term resilience.

Sustainability and trade were also discussed as areas for future regional co-operation, particularly in relation to ASEAN’s broader efforts to build a more resilient and competitive economy.

The meeting concluded with shared interest in continuing dialogue on food security, sustainability, supply chain resilience, and trade-related initiatives.