SDPU Regional Food Safety Workshop Concludes in Thailand 

From July 9-11th, 2024, CRDF Global and the International Joint Research Center on Food Security (IJC-FOODSEC) hosted the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses (SDPU) Regional Workshop on Food Safety and Agricultural Productivity in Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. This workshop, part of a three-event series, brought together a diverse group of experts to address regional challenges and opportunities in the nexus of food safety and agricultural productivity, with a focus on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. 

The event program was composed, and stakeholders were assembled, through the key contributions and guidance from IJC-FOODSEC. Attending experts included representatives from academia, research institutions, development organizations, regulatory agencies, private industries, and other sectors. In addition to IJC-FOODSEC, key insights from the Thailand Office of Atoms for Peace, the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and development experts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were critical in framing the week’s sessions. 

Day one focused on the challenges and opportunities in food safety in the region. Day two assessed the nuclear tools and techniques that have had a positive impact on food safety and productivity. Day three concluded the program with a consideration on how the tools, techniques, and approaches discussed during the week could be mobilized to improve the quality of life and business in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. 

Discussions covered a range of topics, including food fraud detection, shelf-life extension, circular economic practices, public awareness, and sustainable project design. Throughout the conference, the attendees aimed to identify collaboration opportunities to enhance existing IAEA programs, such as the Joint IAEA/FAO Center of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and under the new Atoms4Food initiative.  

CRDF Global is thankful for the program assistance and facilitation from Thammasat University and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and appreciates the thoughtful contributions of participating experts. Their efforts helped to advance progress and inventiveness toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions from this workshop will continue August 21, 2024, when participants reconvene to review and assess the project concepts developed during the event. 

This event and the SDPU are jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DENSZ). For more information about this event and the SDPU, go to www.sustaineddialogue.com.