SEARCA Director Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan and Mr. Mariano S. Salazar, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary, urged key stakeholders in the biofuels industry to participate in a productive exchange of knowledge and best practices on biofuels development in the East and Southeast Asian region.

Occasion was the workshop titled "Biofuels Development in Southeast and East Asia: Policy Issues and Research Agenda" held on 7-8 October 2007 at Renaissance Hotel, Makati City, Philippines.

In his welcome address, Dr. Balisacan recognized biofuels as a contemporary concern that relates to issues of energy security and independence. He encouraged the participants to engage in a dynamic and enriching discussion to come up with an overall framework for assessing the impact of biofuels. He said that the exchange of knowledge on biofuels development among East and Southeast Asian nations would shape the future of the biofuels industry in the region through intellectual debate and discussions.

USec. Salazar, in his opening remarks, imparted, "The workshop has a very direct relevance to the efforts that have propelled most of our work at DOE for the past months." He emphasized that crafting strategies with regard to the sustainability aspect of biofuels is the task of policymakers. "Energy is critical but food security is paramount. We cannot sacrifice the hunger of our people in exchange for gratification of the increasing appetite for energy for our cars and factories," he expounded.

From the workshop, the organizers will develop a project proposal on the "Effects of Emerging Biofuels on Agricultural Development, Food Security, Poverty and the Environment: with specific focus on Southeast and East Asia."

The workshop was organized by SEARCA and the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP), together with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).