The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), NSTDA, participated as a collaborator in the Bioeconomy Innovations and Investment Forum (BIIF) 2025, an event organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to accelerate innovation, investment, and regional cooperation for a sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy in Asia and the Pacific. BIIF was held from Nov. 25-27, 2025.
BIIF 2025 brought together delegates from governments, UN agencies, development partners, and regional organizations to discuss how innovation, science, and partnerships can strengthen bioeconomy systems and advance climate-resilient and biodiversity-positive development. The event was officiated by Mr. Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Dr Tatsanee Muangkaew, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, Thailand, H.E. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Thailand, and H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Thailand.
BIOTEC also contributed two speakers to the forum. Dr. Sithichoke Tangphatsornruang, Deputy Executive Director of BIOTEC, spoke on “Strengthening quality of planting materials for bioeconomy,” and Dr. Warinthorn Songkasiri presented on “Converting cassava waste into fiber.” These contributions highlighted BIOTEC’s scientific expertise and its role in supporting national and regional bioeconomy goals.
BIOTEC Hosts BIIF 2025 Delegations to Explore Potential Collaboration
On Day 3, BIOTEC welcomed about 100 BIIF participants and delegations—including representatives from UN agencies around the world and Bioeconomy Corporation Malaysia—to its campus at Thailand Science Park for a half-day program showcasing Thailand’s biotechnology capabilities and their applications across agriculture, food systems, and sustainable industry.
Participants were welcomed by Assistant Professor Chaowaree Adthalungrong, BIOTEC Executive Director, followed by presentations from BIOTEC leadership on the center’s research priorities and its work in developing a sustainable cassava value chain. Delegates also visited exhibitions featuring BIOTEC’s biodiversity and biocontrol technologies, demonstrating practical solutions that support farmers, SMEs, and the bio-based industry.
The visit concluded with guided tours to key BIOTEC facilities, including the Monoclonal Antibody Production and Application Research Lab, Aquaculture Service Facility and new ABSL-2 Laboratory, Thailand Bioresource Research Center (TBRC), BIOTEC Bioprocess Facility (BBF), and Food and Feed Innovation Center. These visits offered firsthand insights into how BIOTEC’s research and technologies are translated into real-world applications for diagnostics, disease control, food innovation, and bioprocess development.
The Bioeconomy Innovations and Investment Forum 2025 is organized by FAO in collaboration with 18 co-organizers and contributors, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Center for Regional Development, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Embassy of Bangladesh in Thailand, BIOTEC and the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation.