In April of this year, at ESCAP's 65th Session, the Commission adopted Resolution 65/4. This resolution, based on the results of CAPSA's Governing Council meeting a month earlier, called for CAPSA to be strengthened. The Council suggested the Centre continue its focus in the Asia-Pacific region but on the broader, more encompassing issues of food security and sustainable agriculture in a climate-change environment. To most effectively assist CAPSA's strengthening and to make the process more inclusive, a two-day Workshop entitled "Developing an Inclusive Strategic Plan for CAPSA" was held in Bogor, Indonesia, on 7-8 December 2009.

Mr. Keith Hargreaves (USAID) was the facilitator for this two-day workshop. CAPSA goals, strategy, work plan and timeline were discussed. Thirty-one participants from 13 countries (including five Technical Committee members) participated in the workshop.

At the end of the Workshop, CAPSA will have a framework for a strategic plan addressing 21st century issues and will be better positioned to respond to key challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, particularly those related to food security and sustainable agriculture in a climate-changing environment.

Some presentations were made by participants representing their institutions, such as: Indonesian Benelux Chamber of Commerce (INA), PNG National Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Philippines Bureau of Agricultural Research; and Wageningen University and Research Centre.

On day three, the CAPSA Technical Committee met to validate the workshop process and resulting elements of the new CAPSA strategy.

The First Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Development, 24-26 November 2009, Bangkok, Thailand

The first session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Development was held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, from 24 to 26 November 2009. The meeting was organized by the Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division of UNESCAP.

Implementation of Commission resolution 65/4 on the strengthening of the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific (CAPSA) was presented on the second day of the session. The introductory statement of this agenda item was delivered by Mr. LeRoy Hollenbeck, Head and Senior Economic Affairs Officer of CAPSA.

For more detailed info of the session please visit: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/cmp/cmp2009/index.asp.

The Seminar on "The Role of UNESCAP in Response to Sustainable Agriculture Development through CAPSA"

The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok held a one day seminar on "The role of UNESCAP in response to sustainable agriculture development through CAPSA", on 12 October 2009. The seminar was attended by Indonesian students studying in Thailand.

Mr. LeRoy Hollenbeck, Head of CAPSA and Dr. Syed Nuruzzaman, Chief of Special Unit on Countries with Special Needs of UNESCAP were the resource persons in the Seminar. Dr. Nuruzzaman gave a slide presentation on UNESCAP's Theme Study on "Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security". While Mr. Hollenbeck focused more at the micro level with specific reference to the role of CAPSA. In his presentation Mr. Hollenbeck also elaborated on planned activities of CAPSA for the region and CAPSA's road map.

The seminar was a success as it benefited and enlightened the Indonesian students on the work of ESCAP and CAPSA in the region.