This activity is a component of the seed trade capacity building project in the lower mekong region funded under the mekong-U.S. Partnership (musp), formerly known as lower mekong initiative

Following the successful first mekong regional workshop on seeds on 25 - 29 november, 2019, subsequent workshops were organized in 2021, 2022 and more recently in october 2023 in bangkok, thailand. IT is important that these initiatives are continued in 2024 to maintain momentum. Since the first workshop, the aim has been to deepen understanding on enabling policies for innovation and trade of quality seeds. In continuation of the earlier themes, the program planned for 2024 will consist of a capacity building program and policy dialogue exchange on intellectual property protection for new plant varieties, plant breeding innovation, and seed movement and trade. These topics are directly related to food security, and IT is crucial for government officials to have a clear understanding of the policy framework and the importance of public awareness. The target countries are countries under the mekong US partnership program (cambodia, laos, thailand and vietnam) with participation from global subject matter experts.