Bogor, Indonesia — The ASEAN–JICA Food Value Chain Development Project (AJFVC) held its final workshop on Advancing Pesticide Residue Analysis in ASEAN from August 27 to 28, 2026, to identify analytical challenges and establish regional priorities for advancing pesticide residue analysis (PRA) capacity and strengthening food safety systems across Southeast Asia.

For the past few years, the AJFVC has actively strengthened regional Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures through targeted capacity-building initiatives. These efforts include a 2024 Knowledge Co-Creation Program in Japan for officials from six member states, followed by a 2025 series of two-week training programs hosted across the region for ASEAN Member States. Building on this foundation, representatives from the ASEAN Sanitary and Phytosanitary Contact Point gathered in Bogor for the two-day workshop to develop recommendations on three prioritized areas; Strengthening Analytical Capacity for Pesticide Residue Analysis, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Support, Regional Technical Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.

The first day of the workshop featured presentations on achievements and lessons learned regarding AJFVC Output 2 by Yasuhiko Muramatsu, followed by a keynote address from Shunichi Nakada of JICA on the critical role of laboratories in pesticide residue management. Technical insights were provided online and in person by Dr. Sasireka Rajendran of the Minor Use Foundation, who shared results from Good Laboratory Practice capacity for pesticide residue studies, YiFan Jiang of AOAC International, who discussed major analytical challenges in testing minor crops, and Mr. Mohammad Nazrul Fahmi Abdul Rahim from the Department of Agriculture Malaysia, who outlined key biopesticide laboratory challenges.

The second day shifted toward national prioritization under the guidance of Yasuhiko Muramatsu. During the plenary session, country representatives outlined tailored domestic follow-up plans and highlighted potential initiatives aligned with their national strategies and priorities, helping identify where regional cooperation can deliver the greatest impact. The workshop concluded with closing remarks and an overview of the way forward delivered by Michiko Umezaki of the AJFVC, highlighting the next steps toward continued regional cooperation on PRA and food safety across ASEAN.