7 July 2025, Thailand Science Park – BIOTEC welcomed a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and representatives from the Embassies of Maldives in Thailand and Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as part of a site visit organized in conjunction with a regional workshop on plant genetics. The delegation was led by Dr. Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. Also participated is H.E. Ms. Huda Ali Shareef, Ambassador-at-Large and Permanent Representatives to UNESCAP.
The visit showcased BIOTEC’s work in advancing agricultural biotechnology, integrative aquaculture and FAO-BIOTEC collaborative works promoting sustainable bioeconomy development in Southeast Asia.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Asst. Prof. Chaowaree Adthalungrong, BIOTEC Executive Director, followed by a presentation on BIOTEC’s agricultural biotechnology initiatives by Dr. Sithichoke Tangphatsornruang, Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development in Bioscience and Biotechnology for Agriculture. His talk highlighted the center’s use of omics technologies, gene editing, and smart farming solutions to enhance crop resilience and productivity.
The session continued with Dr. Warinthorn Songkasiri, Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Support, who presented the ongoing FAO-BIOTEC collaboration to strengthen the bioeconomy in Southeast Asia and beyond, emphasizing policy-driven innovation and capacity building.
FAO delegates also learned about BIOTEC’s aquaculture work through a presentation by Dr. Kallaya Sritunyalucksana-Dangtip, Director of the Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group. Her talk focused on innovations in precision shrimp farming, shrimp health surveillance networks, and the group’s collaboration with FAO to support sustainable aquaculture practices.
