Regional Dialogue on Biofuels in Asia: Striking a Balance Between Trade, Agriculture and Energy Policies

9th – 10th November 2009 • Co-organised with the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD), SEA START, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)

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Biofuels have been promoted as a potential source of renewable energy, growth and sustainability in the midst of multiple crises that are impacting development and trade flows. The relationships that exist in the global production and distribution of commodities that link both to energy and agriculture are complex.

Many governments support biofuels investment as a way to reduce carbon emissions and to create opportunities for developing countries through innovation, income generation and better quality of life for rural farmers. The actual environmental and social impacts depend on choices about feedstocks and production technologies. Increased production and use of biofuels poses a potential for conflict with other uses of agriculture products as well as land, spurring a debate as to whether biofuels negatively impact rural development and food security.

The challenge of future development regarding biofuels and international trade will depend on policies that balance the needs of food and energy crop producers, investors and consumers while ensuring environmentally sustainable processes and outputs. This balance is currently relevant at the regional level where investment and trade are dynamically driven by climate change and energy security concerns.

The objectives of the Regional Dialogue are:

1. To promote state-of-the-art analysis and information on the context in the Asia region vis-à-vis biofuels and trade.

2. To identify sustainable development supportive processes, policies and measures particular to regional integration in Asia, including a possible network on biofuels.

3. To identify appropriate regional and international trade policy measures surrounding biofuels in support of food and energy security, rural development and protection of the environment.

4. To analyze extra-Asian market drivers (such as targets, mandates, standards and subsidies) and regulatory frameworks and ensure their alignment with sustainability objectives in the region.