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The Government of Sri Lanka hosted the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Knowledge Workshop on Food Systems on 31 August-1 September 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The workshop discussed and endorsed the key elements of the final version of the SASEC Food Systems Development Framework 2035, as well as the framework’s objectives and operational pillars. The framework aims to develop food security, food safety, and food trade in the region, with value chain ecosystem. The officials of SASEC countries agreed on formation of a technical subgroup on Food Safety and Trade Harmonization.

The workshop discussed key elements of the final version of the SASEC Food Systems Development Framework 2035, as well as the framework’s objectives and operational pillars.

Ms. Gilma Dahanayake, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Government of Sri Lanka, chaired the workshop. Mr. Nilaya Mitash, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, SASEC Secretariat, Asian Development Bank (ADB), moderated the workshop. The workshop was attended by officials from government ministries, departments, and agencies dealing with agriculture and horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, food safety, and food trade matters. Staff and consultants from ADB, SASEC resident missions, and the SASEC secretariat also attended the workshop. SASEC countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.