The Strategic Foresight and Futures Studies Division of NXPO and the APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF), together with the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation of Peru (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación: CONCYTEC), held the APEC CTF–CONCYTEC Meeting on Foresight Collaboration for Food Security and Agriculture on 25 September 2026 in Thailand. The meeting provided a platform for exchanging experiences and exploring opportunities for cooperation under the APEC framework.
Dr. Kommate Jitvanichphaibool, Assistant to the President of NXPO and Deputy Director of APEC CTF, welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the meeting. He noted that food security and agriculture are shared challenges among APEC economies amid climate change and rapid technological advances. Foresight therefore serves as an important tool to help economies prepare timely policy responses. He also introduced the key functions of APEC CTF, which currently operates under the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI). These functions include supporting evidence-based policymaking, promoting regional cooperation, building foresight capacity, and advancing strategic foresight. Its work covers key areas including energy and climate, the circular and bioeconomy, health resilience, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as well as future food systems and skills.
Felipe Donato Valentín Rojas, a foresight specialist from CONCYTEC, presented an overview of Peru’s National Science, Technology and Innovation System (SINACTI), with CONCYTEC serving as its governing body. He also introduced Peru’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (POLCTI), approved in July 2025, which sets a goal for Peru to enter the world’s top 60 countries in terms of innovation capacity and increase research and development (R&D) expenditure to 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
He also presented CONCYTEC’s work on foresight and technology studies to support policymaking, including the development of Technology Roadmaps for strategic sectors in collaboration with the Republic of Korea and studies on agricultural and food biotechnology. He highlighted projects implemented by CONCYTEC under the APEC framework in 2026, including efforts to strengthen the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt emerging technologies to promote food security. He also expressed interest in exchanging experiences on research challenges related to food security, mechanisms for translating foresight findings into policymaking and sectoral plans, as well as issues related to water security and low-carbon nutrition systems.
During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on challenges, technology trends, and policy priorities related to food and agriculture. APEC CTF presented conceptual frameworks for two pilot missions under the PPSTI Mission-oriented Innovation Policy (MOIP) approach: 1. advancing APEC economies toward a circular economy; and 2. developing AI-driven digital health to support cross-border healthcare. These missions align with the work of three PPSTI sub-groups: strengthening science capacity, promoting an enabling environment for innovation, and enhancing regional science and technology connectivity.
The meeting also discussed potential areas for future cooperation, including conducting joint foresight studies on agri-food systems, developing foresight capacity among researchers and policymakers, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices. These efforts could help translate research, technology, and foresight findings into policymaking and strengthen cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting marked an important step in expanding cooperation between Thailand and Peru in the field of foresight, building on NXPO’s participation in the APEC Future of Smart Mobility Workshop, hosted by CONCYTEC in Lima, Peru. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences, and approaches to applying foresight to support policymaking, as well as to explore opportunities for jointly developing knowledge and policy approaches to strengthen food security across the APEC region.
As the agency responsible for the APEC Center for Technology Foresight, NXPO is committed to using foresight as a tool to build networks, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen foresight capacity among APEC member economies. From 28 September to 1 October 2026, APEC CTF will organize APEC Young Futurists under the theme “Frontier Technologies and Solutions for Future Food” in Kanchanaburi Province. The event will provide a platform for young people and experts from APEC member economies to explore technologies, trends, and future solutions related to food systems. Felipe Donato Valentín Rojas will serve as a jury member, marking another step in strengthening the foresight network and cooperation between APEC CTF and CONCYTEC.
