The ICA-AP Committee on Agriculture and Environment (ICAE) convened its annual meeting on 25 November 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in conjunction with the ICA-AP Regional Assembly. The meeting brought together representatives from member organisations across the Asia Pacific region to reflect on the year’s work, discuss emerging priorities for 2026, and confirm the Committee’s leadership for the new term.

The session opened with remarks from Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak Shaik, Chairperson of ICAE and representative of the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA), who underlined the crucial role of agricultural and environmental cooperatives in ensuring food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods. He highlighted how cooperatives, rooted in local communities, are uniquely placed to promote just transitions in agriculture, support small producers, and respond collectively to climate and market-related risks.

Members reviewed key highlights from 2025, including activities to strengthen cooperative-led, climate smart and sustainable agriculture, deepen collaboration between agricultural cooperatives and government agencies, and step up knowledge sharing on environment friendly farming practices. A country presentation from Malaysia showcased national-level experiences in organising farmers and producers through cooperatives, and in integrating environmental considerations into agricultural value chains. The proposed Work Plan for 2026 was also presented, outlining continued focus on climate-resilient agriculture, green value chains, training for cooperative leaders and managers, and closer engagement with youth and women in agricultural cooperatives. Members expressed broad support for the direction of work and the Committee’s alignment with the needs of cooperatives in diverse country contexts.

During the closing segment, the Committee took up the agenda item on the election of office bearers. Members agreed that a renewed and regionally representative leadership would help steer ICAE’s next phase of work and partnerships. The meeting, for which Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer served as Acting Secretary, confirmed the following office bearers for the 2026 to 2029 term:

• Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak Shaik, Chairperson (Malaysian National Cooperative Movement, ANGKASA, Malaysia)
• Mr. Kishor Kumar, Vice-Chairperson (Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd., ULCCS, India)
• Ms. Madhavi M Vipradas, Vice-Chairperson (Indian Farmers Forestry Development Cooperative, IFFDC, India)

This decision reflected members’ confidence that the new leadership team will be able to guide ICAE’s strategic priorities, strengthen its role as a knowledge and advocacy platform for cooperative agriculture, and advance cooperative solutions to climate and environmental challenges across the Asia Pacific region.