Role and Purpose

In the frame of the ASSET Regional Project that aims to make food and agricultural systems in Southeast Asia more sustainable, safer and inclusive, through harnessing the potential of Agroecology to transform them, the ASSET Project Team is seeking influent and actively involved resource persons with strong expertise in agroecology and food systems in the Mekong sub-region to become part of the Advisory Committee.

The role of the advisory committee is to support and feed the reflection on strategic orientations of the ASSET Project, notably at its Steering Committee level, to increase the action visibility and relevance, and to strengthen networking from national to regional levels.

Advisory Committee Composition 

The Advisory Committee is composed of six members, participating in their individual capacity and ensuring the diversity of actors’ background and gender balance.

	Dr. Kris A.G. Wyckhuys, a Belgian bio-science engineer and insect ecologist, focuses on nature-based pest control solutions in various climates. Based in Vietnam, he conducts ecological research and integrated rural development projects in Asia and Latin America, promoting sustainable farming systems and biological control under an IPM framework.
	Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), is a distinguished rice scientist and professor in the Philippines. With almost 30 years at IRRI, he has contributed significantly to agricultural research. He is an Academician at NAST and leads initiatives to advance crop science and agricultural development in Southeast Asia.
	Ms. Estrella Penuniais is the Secretary General of Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), a regional alliance of farmers' organizations in Asia. Representing around 12 million small-scale farmers, AFA plays a crucial role in advocating for their interests and promoting sustainable agricultural practices within the organization's twelve member countries.
	Ms. Femy Pinto serves as the Executive Director of Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme (NTFP EP), a network organization supporting forest-dependent and indigenous communities in South and Southeast Asia. With over 60 partner organizations, she strengthens the capacity of these communities to sustainably manage their natural resources in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
	Ms. Imelda Bacudo, a senior advisor to the COP28 Presidency of the UAE, ensures alignment between UNFCCC agreements on agrifood systems and partnership initiatives. Previously, she worked for ASEAN, facilitating regional and international policies that supported a low-emission and resilient agrifood sector, contributing to sustainable transformation in the region.
	Until 2022, Mr. Francisco Javier Pichon, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cuba, had been a member of the advisory committee. He possesses extensive experience in agriculture and rural development lending operations. With leadership roles at IFAD in Vietnam and Thailand, he had fostered partnerships, conducted policy dialogues, and developed strategies to promote sustainable agriculture in low and middle-income countries.