Of a minimum of 15 (fifteen) pages. A preliminary report based on technological surveillance and competitive intelligence analysis, identifying key advancements in research, technology, and innovation to enhance food security in agricultural MSMEs across APEC economies. This report is expected to be completed by October 2025. 

Preliminary Report Structure:

1.  Introduction

2.  Methodology: Approach based on technological surveillance and competitive intelligence.

3.  Key Emerging Technologies in the Food Resilience Sector for MSMEs

3.1  Main technologies applied in food production and distribution.

3.2 Technologies enhancing sustainability and resilience in small agrifood businesses.

3.3 Specific applications in resource management, traceability, and market access.

3.4  Impact on climate adaptation and food waste reduction.

4. Key Projects and Initiatives in APEC Economies

4. Mapping of projects and strategies leveraging emerging technologies to enhance food security for MSMEs

4.2 Notable cases of public-private collaboration within APEC.

5. Conclusion and Recommendations 

The methodology, technological surveillance and competitive intelligence, involves tracking scientific, technical, and market developments through databases, publications, and industry reports. It focuses on monitoring emerging technologies and market trends while analyzing strategies and innovations. Through benchmarking and trend analysis, it generates actionable insights that support strategic decision-making for innovation and resilience. 

The Preliminary Report will be shared along with the workshop invitation to provide background information and ensure informed participation.

To be held in February 2026 in Piura, Peru. This workshop will bring together industry experts, agricultural MSMEs, and policymakers to discuss the application of emerging technologies (such as IoT, Big Data, and AI) in improving food security. The workshop will include an interactive platform (funded by PO organisation) to facilitate participation from all APEC economies. 

Note: The virtual component of the workshop will be available exclusively to APEC members unable to attend in person. Real-time access to the sessions will be provided via live streaming, with no audio or video recordings, only for APEC members approved to participate in this workshop. While in-person attendance is prioritized to foster stronger interactions, the virtual option ensures broader participation, allowing a diverse range of stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the discussions. 

Workshop Session Format: Each session will include:

1. Expert Presentations (40–50 min): Virtual participants can submit questions via chat or polling tools to maintain engagement.

2. Panel Discussions (30–50 min): Actively moderated to ensure participation from both in-person and virtual attendees. Questions can be collected in advance or during the session. Live polls and interactive forums will be used to enhance engagement.

3.  Group Work (30–60 min):

In-person attendees: Table discussions.

Virtual attendees: Breakout rooms (Zoom/Teams).

Each group will discuss and capture key insights. Digital collaborative tolos can be used for real-time input.

4.  Summary and Closing (20 min):

Each group (in-person and virtual) presents key takeaways. 

Virtual Participation Strategy

A 3-4 hour per day will focus on maximizing the participation and contributions of online attendees through interactive discussions. Each session will allocate more than one hour to encourage virtual attendee participation. Live Q&A sessions and breakout rooms will be used to facilitate engagement. 

DAY 1 

Session 1: Setting the Context of Food Security in APEC (3h)

The first session will establish the foundation for the workshop by defining food security within the APEC region. Discussions will cover the current state of food security, key challenges faced by APEC economies, and the potential role of emerging technologies in addressing these challenges.

This session aims to align participants on the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance food security across diverse economic and agricultural contexts. 

Session 2: Impact of Climate Change on Food Security (2h)

This session will explore the impact of climate change on food production and security within APEC economies. Discussions will focus on the risks posed by climate variability, extreme weather events, and the need for climate-smart agricultural practices. Participants will review findings from the Preliminary Report and assess how these environmental challenges can be mitigated through sustainable practices and technological interventions. 

Session 3: Leveraging IoT for Enhanced Food Security (2h)

This session will focus on the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture to improve food security. It will highlight case studies from APEC economies that have successfully implemented IoT solutions to optimize water usage, monitor crop health, and streamline supply chains. Participants will discuss the scalability of these technologies and their potential to transform traditional farming practices into more efficient and sustainable systems. 

DAY 2 

Session 5: Blockchain and Other Emerging Technologies in Ensuring Food Safety and Traceability (2h)

This session will explore the role of blockchain and other emerging technologies in ensuring food safety and traceability. Participants will learn about how these technologies are being used to create transparent and secure supply chains, reduce food fraud, and enhance consumer trust.

Real-world examples will demonstrate the impact of these technologies on food security, particularly in economies with complex and fragmented agricultural sectors. 

Session 6: Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Food Security (2h) In this session, participants will discuss the importance of cross-border collaboration among APEC economies to enhance food security. The session will cover joint research initiatives, technology sharing, and the development of regional strategies that address common challenges.

Participants will also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships and the role of international organizations in supporting these efforts. 

Session 7: Recommendations and Path Forward (2h)

The final session will synthesize the insights and discussions from the previous sessions into actionable recommendations. Participants will develop both short-term and long-term strategies to promote food security through the adoption of emerging technologies. This session will culminate in a set of recommendations targeted at policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international bodies, providing a roadmap for future initiatives within APEC. 

Pre- and Post-Workshop Surveys:

A pre-workshop survey will be conducted via email to assess participants' baseline knowledge of food security and the role of emerging technologies. The survey will include questions such as:

(1) How well do participants understand the challenges of food security in their economy?

(2) How familiar are participants with the use of emerging technologies in agriculture? (3) What are the perceived barriers to improving food security in their economy? among others. 

Of a minimum of 20 (twenty) pages, excluding annexes, will be submitted in April 2026, capturing key findings and recommendations from the workshop and the preliminary report. The Final Report will serve as a guide for future collaborations and actions within APEC to advance towards a food-secure economy through technological innovation. 

Final Report Structure:

1.  Executive Summary

2.  Case Studies & Implementation Lessons

Analysis of successful scaling strategies and key success factors across APEC

Lessons learned to enhance implementation."

3.  Policy Pathways

Strategies and policies to facilitate technology adoption and scaling. Public-private partnership models and funding mechanisms.

Recommendations on incentives, regulations, and capacity-building for MSMEs."

4.  Seminars Results and stakeholder Insights

Key findings and outcomes from the seminar. Perspectives from key stakeholders (industry leaders, policymakers, MSMEs).

Opportunities for regional collaboration, funding, and cross-economy projects "

5.  Conclusions & Future Directions

Summary of key takeaways and expected impacts. (At least 2) Strategic policy recommendations

(At least 6) High-potential innovations with long-term transformative opportunities."

6.  Annexes
Supporting data and preliminary report

Outcomes

1) Improved Capacity and Understanding of How Agricultural MSMEs Can Adapt Emerging Technologies to Enhance Food Security: Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how agricultural MSMEs can effectively integrate emerging technologies such as IoT, Big Data, and AI to address food security challenges in their economies. It will focus on increasing participants' knowledge and capacity to identify, adapt, and implement these technologies. The improvement in understanding will be evaluated through pre- and post-workshop surveys, which will assess knowledge gains. The surveys will provide disaggregated data to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge acquired by specific groups.

2) Actionable Recommendations on How to Implement Best Practices in MSMEs to Enhance Food Security: This outcome aims to produce actionable recommendations for both the private sector and policymakers on how to best implement technological and strategic practices to improve food security within agricultural MSMEs.

These recommendations will be informed by the discussions and insights gained during the workshop and will be included in the project report. The goal is to generate at least six actionable recommendations that can be directly applied in APEC economies. The effectiveness of these recommendations will be assessed through post- workshop feedback and their inclusion in the final project report.

3) Generate Interest in Future Work and Discussions on Improving Food Security Through Emerging Technologies: One of the key goals of the workshop is to foster continued interest and collaboration among participants on how emerging technologies can be leveraged to improve food security. This outcome will gauge participants' willingness and enthusiasm to engage in future work and discussions on this topic, with the aim of establishing a foundation for further research, projects, and collaborations. Success will be measured by post-workshop surveys, where participants will report their interest in pursuing future work on the integration of technologies in MSMEs for food security. The target is for at least 50% of participants to express a strong interest in future initiatives.

Beneficiaries

1. Primary Beneficiaries

These are the key participants who will attend the workshop: 

1.1  Agricultural MSMEs across APEC member economies that play a crucial role in food security. These businesses will gain access to knowledge on emerging technologies such as IoT, Big Data, and AI, enabling them to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in their operations. 

1.2  Experts in emerging technologies for food security, including researchers from universities, research centers, and innovation-driven private companies within APEC member economies. These experts will gain a deeper understanding of real-world challenges faced by agricultural MSMEs, refine their expertise, and collaborate with policymakers and industry leaders to develop innovative solutions. 

1.3  Policymakers with experience in integrating emerging technologies into food security strategies, particularly those focused on supporting MSMEs within APEC member economies. By engaging with regional best practices and technological advancements presented in the project, policymakers will strengthen their ability to design and implement effective food security policies. 

1.4  APEC fora members, including the Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS), the Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (ATCWG), and the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG). These groups will use the project’s insights to foster collaboration and develop cohesive agricultural strategies across APEC economies. 

To facilitate their engagement, workshop invitations will be extended to relevant APEC fora members, ensuring their participation in discussions. The final project report will also be disseminated to these groups to support ongoing policy development and implementation efforts.

2. Secondary Beneficiaries

These groups will benefit indirectly from the project's outcomes: 

2.1  International organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and regional research centers, will leverage the project’s findings to strengthen global and regional food security initiatives, improving their capacity to address food-related challenges effectively. 

2.2  The broader agricultural community, including farmers and agricultural workers, will benefit from the adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies, leading to enhanced sustainability and efficiency in food production. 

2.3 Technology firms and agribusinesses will gain indirect benefits by adapting their products and services to align with emerging technologies and policies shaped through the project’s findings. This alignment will foster innovation and market expansion opportunities.