Dairy Asia

GASL Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Meeting and Regional Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation Convenes in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand – The 13th Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL) Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) meeting and Regional Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation was held from 30 October to 03 November 2023. This global event brought together more than 200 representatives and experts from 55 countries, serving as a significant platform for discussions on building a sustainable livestock sector. Key topics included food and nutrition security, animal health and welfare, environmental impacts, socio-economic factors, and innovation.

Dairy Asia was represented at the conference by several key figures:

Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and Coordinator, Dairy Asia
Dr. Tashi Yangzome, Dairy Asia Focal Point for Bhutan, and Director of the Department of Livestock, Bhutan
Mr. Jeerasak Chobtang, Dairy Asia Focal Point for Thailand, and Senior Officer at the Department of Livestock Development, Thailand
Ms. Marilyn Mabale, Dairy Asia Focal Point for the Philippines, from the National Dairy Authority of the Philippines

Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai participated as a panelist in the plenary session on environmental drivers of change affecting livestock systems. In his address, he detailed the ongoing series of Dairy Asia dialogues and the proposed initiatives to establish a World Yak Association. He emphasized the critical need to focus on herders, underscoring that building cooperative systems for those in remote rural areas is essential for achieving sustainable livestock development. He noted that this approach is key to encompassing economic, social, environmental, and cultural progress.

In a parallel plenary session addressing geopolitical and socio-economic drivers of change, Ms. Marilyn Mabale served as a panelist. She presented an overview of the current state of the dairy sector in the Philippines, outlined its most pressing challenges, and highlighted the focused activities being undertaken to support the industry’s development.

Furthermore, during the GASL MSP meeting, a Share-Fair was held. Dairy Asia’s booth (№36) effectively disseminated relevant information and resources to conference participants.