Last November 28-29, 2023, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) hosted a meeting of more than 160 project leaders in Brisbane. The meeting served as a platform for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and innovations aimed at advancing agricultural development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

SESAM dean, Dr. Rico C. Ancog attended this two-day gathering which took place at the heart of Brisbane. SESAM is currently implementing two ACIAR-funded Projects on OneHealth/EcoHealth. Focused in the Philippines, the first project aims to analyze integrated policy options on African swine fever, avian influenza and antimicrobial resistance with SESAM REPS, Dr. Yusuf A. Sucol as the project leader. On the other hand, the second project also utilized the OneHealth approach for the identification of livestock management interventions for selected countries in the Southeast Asian region with Dr. Ancog as the project leader. 

The event brought together project leaders from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Through collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing, participants explored ways to address critical challenges facing agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods in the region. This two-day gathering featured a series of engaging sessions, discussions and presentations focusing on a wide array of topics, including delivering impact from research: theory of change and some case studies on translating knowledge into practice. 

The meeting also provided a platform for networking and forging new partnerships among project leaders, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across diverse agricultural landscapes. The ACIAR project leaders meeting in Brisbane served as a testament to the pivotal role of collaborative research and innovation in shaping the future of agriculture. As the discussions and initiatives from the event continue to unfold, the collective efforts of project leaders are poised to make a lasting impact on agricultural development, productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems and food system resilience in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.