The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, with the support of the Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA), will organize the Asia-Pacific Rural and Digital Finance Forum: Transforming agrifood systems from 11 to 12 September 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. The Forum will convene policymakers, practitioners, and development partners from various countries, alongside regional and international institutions, to assess the latest developments in the rural and digital finance landscape, share practical insights and innovative approaches that expand access to inclusive rural financial services and strengthen connections across rural actors, as well as forge partnerships to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.

Context and Rationale

Asia and the Pacific region is home to a significant proportion of the world’s rural poor, with agriculture remaining a primary source of livelihood for millions. Yet, persistent gaps in access to rural and digital finance continue to constrain the transformation of agrifood systems, limit the adoption of climate-smart practices, and impede the achievement of inclusive rural development.

The FAO Director General has launched flagship Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative in 2019 to comprehensively assist countries in addressing poverty (SDG-1), hunger and malnutrition (SDG-2), and inequality (SDG-10). The promotion of inclusive rural and digital finance to facilitate agrifood systems transformation constitutes a key component of the HIH Initiative.

As part of this effort, FAO, in collaboration with national partners, APRACA, and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) of Thailand, conducted comprehensive rural and digital finance ecosystem assessments in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, and Solomon Islands. These assessments highlighted key impediments and opportunities for building more effective, inclusive, and resilient rural finance systems. In parallel, FAO facilitated a series of knowledge exchanges between Thailand and the five focus countries, enabling central banks, agricultural development banks, and microfinance institutions to observe and learn from Thailand’s diverse rural finance landscape.

The Forum will bring together stakeholders from Asia and the Pacific region and beyond to review key findings from recent rural and digital finance ecosystem assessments. Participants will explore actionable solutions, gain insights from experts, and engage in discussions to foster collaborative partnerships aimed at advancing inclusive rural finance and transforming agrifood systems.

Objectives

1. Present key findings and recommendations

   Disseminate the main findings from the rural and digital finance ecosystem assessments and country-specific concept notes, highlighting priority measures to address critical gaps and impediments in the participating countries.

2. Exchange best practices and innovations

   Facilitate in-depth discussions on successful models, innovative approaches, and latest developments in rural and agricultural finance, with a focus on digitalisation, climate resilience, and financial inclusion.

3. Foster regional collaboration and partnerships
   Provide a platform for dialogue and networking among public sector officials, international development partners, private sector actors, microfinance institutions, apex organisations, and civil society, with the aim of forging new partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

Expected Outcomes

• Enhanced understanding of rural and digital finance challenges and opportunities in the region.
• Concrete recommendations and action plans for strengthening inclusive rural finance systems in the five project countries.
• New or strengthened partnerships among countries, development partners, and the private sector.
• Increased alignment of national strategies with the FAO Hand in Hand Initiative and SDGs.

What to Expect

The Forum will feature interactive technical sessions, expert presentations, and panel discussions designed to facilitate in-depth knowledge sharing. Participants will have opportunities to engage with peers, exchange practical experiences on navigating challenges and shaping solutions in rural and digital finance, and explore innovative approaches to strengthening financial ecosystems, promoting digital transformation, and enhancing rural livelihoods. The Forum also provides a platform for networking, fostering collaborative problem-solving, and building partnerships that can advance inclusive rural finance and support the transformation of agrifood systems across Asia and the Pacific.

Who Will Attend

• Government Officials: Representatives central banks and ministries of agriculture, finance, and rural development from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, Solomon Islands, and Thailand. In addition, key embassies present in Thailand will also attend the forum.
• Financial Institutions: Senior officials from agricultural development banks, microfinance institutions, and digital financial service providers.
• International Development Partners: Representatives from IFAD, the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, UNCDF, WFP and other relevant agencies.
• Private Sector: Agri-businesses, fintech companies, commercial banks, and other private sector actors involved in rural and digital finance.
• Apex Organisations: Leaders from national and regional farmers’ organisations, cooperatives, and microfinance apex bodies.
• Civil Society and Academia: NGOs, research institutions, and think tanks working on rural finance, digital inclusion, and agrifood systems.
• Other Stakeholders: Policy analysts, rural development practitioners, and representatives from the media.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4gdByH8