Emerging Global Issues

The Emerging Global Issues Programme provides policy guidance on key strategic and emerging issues such as climate policy, energy efficiency and alternatives to use of fish meal in aquaculture feeds.

The programme endeavours to bring to public domain the positive aspects of aquaculture as a significant contributor to food security and the livelihoods of rural communities, and actively promotes south-south cooperation.

Key activities

  • Development of projects and policy guidance on emerging issues of regional interest.
  • Contribute to the global dialogue on use of fish meal and oil in animal feeds and resource usage in the reduction industry.
  • Providing a regional platform for members to develop common policies and strategies to address emerging global issues.
  • Facilitating the development of an environmental monitoring system to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture resilience and to improve early warning in the lower Mekong Delta.
  • Evaluating the vulnerabilities of aquaculture systems to climate change.
  • Strengthening adaptive capacities of small-scale resource-poor farmers to the impacts of climate change.
  • Adaptive learning and management in community fish pond and school fish pond projects.
  • Playing a catalytic role in south-south cooperation in aquaculture development.
  • Communication of success stories in aquaculture.

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Subject tags

A collection of subject tags relating to technical matters.

In this collection

Transforming Aquaculture in Asia and the Pacific – 3rd High-Level Meeting in Shanghai

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.

Background & objectives of the 3rd High Level Meeting on Aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific

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.

NACA Newsletter, Vol. XXXIX, October-December 2024

In this issue:

  • Training Programme on Safeguarding Artemia Resources for Aquaculture held in Rome.
  • First International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium Conference and Members' Meeting, Ostend, Belgium.
  • Inception workshop: Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation.
  • Reported Aquatic Animal Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region during the First Quarter of 2024.
  • 14th Asian fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, India.
  • PhD scholarships: Shanghai Ocean University PhD Programme 2025.

Project introduction: Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific

This presentation provides an introduction and overview to the project "Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub". The project contributes to NACA and FAO's work on aquaculture transformation, which aims to create more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems through innovation, investment, and partnerships.

NACA is developing an Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub (AIIH) to help realise this vision in the region, providing a facility that will bring together innovators, startups, and investors to accelerate transformation. The presentation was given at the project inception workshop on 4 June 2024 in Bangkok. The project is funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre.

Knowledge brokering for nature-based solutions in aquaculture and transformation in Asia-Pacific: Support to the Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub

This project contributes to NACA's recent work with the FAO on aquaculture transformation. The aim is to create more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems through innovation, investment, and partnerships. NACA is developing an Aquaculture Innovation and Investment Hub (AIIH) to help realise this vision in the region, providing a facility that will bring together innovators, startups, and investors to accelerate transformation. The project will contribute to developing National Innovation and Investment Plans for Thailand, The Philippines, and Fiji, which will address issues including climate change, disease prevention and management, environmental sustainability, gender equality and social inclusion, and resource utilisation and management. The project is part of a wider AQUADAPT initiative, a four-year partnership running from 2023-2027, funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre.