Climate Resilience and Sustainable Rural Transformation: Solutions for the Asia-Pacific
Convenors: A/Prof Leonie Pearson (University of Canberra), Prof Xunpeng Shi (University of Technology Sydney), Prof Yu Sheng (Australian National University) and Prof Christopher Findlay (Australian National University)
Date: 10 February 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Flinders City Campus; One Festival Tower, Station Road, Adelaide 5000; Level 6, Room 606
Date: 10 February 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Flinders City Campus; One Festival Tower, Station Road, Adelaide 5000; Level 6, Room 606
Workshop Description
This workshop directly addresses the AARES 2026 conference theme by positioning Rural Transformation (RT) as the core engine of change across the Asia-Pacific’s energy, agri-food, and environmental systems. RT is defined as a dynamic process where rural economies diversify, incomes rise, and rural populations gain improved access to services, infrastructure, and opportunities. Achieving RT within planetary boundaries and above social foundations is essential for enhancing well-being, reducing poverty, and fostering inclusive, resilient rural communities. Crucially, RT represents a critical pathway for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging agricultural development (AD) and broader structural transformation (ST). Furthermore, the pattern, path, and consequence of RT are deeply intertwined with Governance Capacity.
However, progress is threatened by a “triple challenge” of climate change, resource scarcity, which jeopardizes food security and rural livelihoods across the region. Overcoming these hurdles requires timely and targeted interventions, including investment in climate-smart technologies, resilient infrastructure, efficient resource management, and fair global markets. While significant research exists on RT, there remains a need for a deeper, comparative understanding of the diverse pathways developing economies can take and the specific policy levers that can accelerate progress.
This full-day workshop will bring together leading scholars from the Asia, Australia, and the United States to address these knowledge gaps. We will examine the complex interplay between technological innovation, resource management, and global trade in shaping sustainable rural futures. The workshop will foster knowledge exchange, identify collaborative research opportunities, and lay the groundwork for a proposed Special Issue in the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AJARE).
Format & Structure
We propose a full-day workshop featuring a keynote address, four thematic sessions with presentations from invited experts, and a concluding roundtable discussion to synthesize key takeaways and outline future collaboration.
Workshop Program Outline
| Time | Session & Topic | Presenters & Panelists |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Acknowledgement of Country | Prof. Yu Sheng (ANU) |
| 09:00 – 09:30 |
Opening Remarks & Morning Keynote Address
Host: Prof. Yu Sheng (ANU) |
Prof. Christopher Findlay (ANU); H.E. Mr. Davaasuren Damdinsuren (Ambassador of Mongolia) |
| 09:30 – 10:30 |
Roundtable: Rural Transformation under Climate Change
Chair: Prof. Tiho Ancev (Univ. of Sydney) |
Dr. Trang Truong (ISPAE); Ms. Nyamsuren Munkhbat (MFALI); Dr. Bayarsaikhan Dangaasuren (MFALI); Dr. Jie Chen (MARA China); Dr. Latsamy Phounvisouk (NAFRI) |
| 10:30 – 10:50 | Coffee & Networking Break | - |
| 10:50 – 11:35 |
Session 1: Technology & R&D Solutions for Climate Resilience
Chair: Prof. Yu Sheng (ANU) |
Prof. Robert G. Chambers (Univ. of Maryland); Prof. Yu Yvette Zhang (Texas A&M Univ.); Prof. Moriah Bostian (Lewis & Clark College) |
| 11:35 – 12:05 |
Session 2: Inclusiveness and Sustainability: Multiple Futures in Rural Areas
Chair: Assoc. Prof. Leonie Pearson (UC) |
Dr. Latsamy Phounvisouk (NAFRI); Mr. Lkhagvadorj Dorjburegdaa (MULS, Mongolia) |
| 12:05 – 12:30 | Working Session: Insights for Research and Policy | All Chairs and Participants |
| 12:30 – 13:20 | Lunch Break | - |
| 13:20 – 13:45 | Afternoon Keynote: Insights from Previous ACIAR RT Project | Prof. Jikun Huang (Peking Univ., Virtual) |
| 13:45 – 14:15 |
Session 3: Energy and Resource Management
Chair: Prof. Xunpeng Shi (UTS) |
Prof. Xunpeng Shi (UTS); Prof. Guanghua Qiao (IMAU, Mongolia & China) |
| 14:15 – 15:15 |
Session 4: Pathways to RT: Regional Country Case Studies
Chair: Prof. Tiho Ancev (Univ. of Sydney) |
Dr. Jie Chen (MARA China); Dr. Trang Truong (ISPAE, Vietnam); Ms. Nyamsuren Munkhbat (MFALI, Mongolia) |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Working Session: Building the Climate Resilience Agenda |
All Chairs and Participants; AJARE Special Issue Announcement |
| 15:45 – 15:50 | Concluding Remarks & Future Collaboration | Prof. Christopher Findlay (ANU) |
| 15:50 onwards | Coffee/Tea Available | End of Program |
Organizing Committee (Chairs)
Invited Presenters
- Prof. Yu Sheng – Australian National University
- Prof. Tiho Ancev – University of Sydney
- Assoc. Prof. Leonie Pearson – University of Canberra
Invited Presenters
- Prof. Christopher Findlay – Australian National University
- Prof. Robert G. Chambers – University of Maryland (virtue)
- Prof. Jikun Huang – Peking University (virtue)
- Prof. Xunpeng Shi – University of Technology Sydney
- Prof. Yu Yvette Zhang – Texas A&M University, USA.
- Prof. Guanghua Qiao – Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, PRC.
- Dr. Jie Chen – Fellow and Vice Director of Research Center for Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PRC.
- Dr. Trang Truong – Fellow of Institute for Strategy and Policy in Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE, formerly IPSARD), Vietnam
- Dr. Latsamy Phounvisouk – Fellow of National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Mr. Lkhagvadorj Dorjburegdaa - Mongolian University of Life Sciences (MULS)
- Ms. Nyamsuren Munkhbat - Advisor to the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia
- Dr. Bayarsaikhan Dangaasuren - Expert, Policy Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia
- H.E. Mr. Davaasuren DAMDINSUREN - Ambassador of Mongolia, the Embassy of Mongolia in Australia
- Mr. Munkhbayar Erdenejav - First Secretary, the Embassy of Mongolia in Australia
Anticipated Outcomes
- Strengthened academic and policy networks across the Asia–Pacific on rural transformation.
- Identification of priority research questions and collaborative project opportunities.
- Enhanced understanding of policy and technology interventions to address rural sustainability challenges.
- Contributions to a Special Issue in AJARE, disseminating findings to a global audience.
- A social event for all participants is planned, with the specific format to be determined.
How to get to the venue
Flinders University City Campus is located next to Adelaide Railway Station. Look for the Flinders University sign at the front entrance, then use the escalators or elevators to Level 1 to access other floors. Select Level 6 on the elevator call touch screen. Exit the elevator, turn towards the Railway Station, and Room 606 is directly in front of you.
Flinders University City Campus is located next to Adelaide Railway Station. Look for the Flinders University sign at the front entrance, then use the escalators or elevators to Level 1 to access other floors. Select Level 6 on the elevator call touch screen. Exit the elevator, turn towards the Railway Station, and Room 606 is directly in front of you.
