As the host country and chair of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, the Philippines, through the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute conducted the 32nd ASEAN Working Group on Agricultural Training and Extension (AWGATE) Meeting on June 23, 2026 via Zoom platform.
AWGATE is a specialized regional group under ASEAN that enables the member states to collaborate, share best practices, and build institutional capacity to strengthen agricultural training systems, promote food security, and advance sustainable agriculture in the region.
Chaired by the Philippine National Focal Point for AWGATE, Director Remelyn Recoter, the one-day virtual meeting brought together delegates from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and ASEAN Secretariat.
The meeting focused on the continued advancement of policy frameworks related to ASEAN cooperation in agricultural training and extension, and assessed the progress of various cooperation projects and activities under AWGATE. Additionally, the meeting served as a venue for sharing updates on related activities being undertaken by AMS, facilitating a robust dialogue on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations within the agricultural sector.
Among the key outputs of the meeting was the draft Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Agricultural Training and Extension for 2026 to 2030. The Plan of Action addresses food security challenges, strengthening of public-private partnerships, empowerment of agricultural cooperatives, and adoption of digital innovation.
Ultimately, the meeting provided the AMS an opportunity to strengthen their commitment to sustainable development, resilience, and climate action, while advancing their legacy of growth to achieve a more competitive Food, Agriculture, and Forestry sector.
