The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (JMAFF), established the Expert Committee (EC), together with ASEAN participating countries such as the Philippines and Viet Nam and well-established research institutes. This initiative aimed to share Japan’s knowledge and experiences in paddy field management to increase food production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector of the ASEAN region, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation.

The inaugural meeting of this EC was held virtually on 31 January 2024. It concluded that Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is the most effective technology for application in the region and that it would be most appropriate to explore a project combining AWD with a carbon credit mechanism following Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and to develop a methodology for AWD, as attached.

The second EC meeting was held in Tokyo on 12 March 2024, providing an opportunity to hear from a wide range of stakeholders, including AWD project developers and carbon credit buyers. This opportunity will contribute to the development of a reliable methodology for AWD by understanding the needs of different stakeholders and the challenges in moving forward with the projects.

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 will be documented and made available on ADB's website.