The 3rd High‑Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in Asia and the Pacific, held 1–2 July in Shanghai, brought together governments, industry leaders and development partners to drive innovation, investment and sustainability in the region’s aquaculture sector. Discussions focused on scaling low‑cost fish production, making technology adoption easier for small farmers, improving access to finance, and strengthening regional cooperation. The meeting set clear priorities for accelerating transformation by 2030, with resources and key presentations now available online. Videos of the presentations are available for viewing on YouTube.

We are seeking a highly experienced and self-motivated individual to join our team as Productivity and Sustainability Senior Programme Officer. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and operation of the programme – a broad remit covering sustainable aquaculture systems and practices across the Asia-Pacific region. The position is best suited to a candidate with diverse experience in aquaculture systems, environments, and countries in the region.

This is a full-time position for immediate appointment, with annual rolling renewal subject to performance. The position requires both local and international travel. The duty station is Bangkok, Thailand. Applications close 31 August 2025.

This presentation by Eduardo Leaño, Director General of NACA, provides a background and introduction to the 3rd High-Level Meeting on Aquaculture Transformation in the Asia-Pacific Region (HLM-3).

The region accounts for around 90% of global aquaculture production but faces mounting challenges including resource scarcity, environmental pressures, climate change, and shifting global dynamics. Addressing these requires a strategic shift driven by innovation, investment, and stronger partnerships to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable aquatic food systems.

HLM-3 builds on the outcomes of previous high-level meetings and the Aquaculture Transformation White Paper, with a focus on national innovation and investment plans, regional collaboration, and implementation efforts to achieve transformation by 2030.

This video by Mike Phillips, CEO of FutureFish, explores the current state of aquaculture innovation and investment across the Asia-Pacific region. Technology innovation is advancing, especially for higher-value species, but challenges remain in scaling inclusive value chains and building climate resilience. Despite growth in private investment, significant financing gaps persist—particularly for SMEs and smallholders, who make up 90% of the sector. National policies, governance, and regulatory environments strongly influence the adoption and scaling of innovations. 

The presentation highlights the importance of partnerships, innovation hubs, and better alignment between financing and transformation priorities to achieve sustainable and inclusive aquaculture development.

This video by Tipparat Pongthanapanich, FAO, provides an overview of the development of National Innovation and Investment Plans (NIIPs) and the regional Aquaculture Transformation Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System (ATMS). NIIPs aim to guide each country's strategic priorities for innovation and investment in aquaculture through 2030, aligned with the regional transformation vision. ATMS will support regional progress tracking and knowledge sharing.

An FAO-led technical cooperation project project is supporting the pilot development of NIIPs and ATMS in four countries - India, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Philippines - with a view to wider regional application. Key components include strategic visioning, policy alignment, project formulation, and robust monitoring systems to drive inclusive, sustainable aquaculture development.