As Japan and ASEAN countries had similar climate conditions and agricultural practices, Japan was able to share its knowledge and experiences in paddy field management to increase food production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector of the ASEAN region.

Taking this into consideration, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (JMAFF), convened the Expert Committee (EC), together with ASEAN participating countries such as the Philippines and Viet Nam and well-established research institutes, to assess existing practices, identify challenges, and pave the way for innovative solutions that would contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation.

The inaugural meeting of this EC was held virtually on 31 January 2024. The EC was scheduled to meet four more times that year to determine if Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) was the most effective technology for application in the region; and to explore the project combining AWD with a carbon credit mechanism following Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement; and develop a methodology for AWD.

This collaborative effort represented a significant step forward in enhancing the environmental sustainability of the agriculture sector. The proceedings and outcomes of the pivotal meetings were documented and made available on ADB's website.