At Monsoon Tea Company, we believe that protecting nature and supporting communities can go hand-in-hand — and in March 2025, we were proud to bring that philosophy to the FIN4GREEN Forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Held from 17–18 March, the forum marked a major step forward in the region’s journey toward agroecological transformation and green finance, and we were honoured to contribute to this landmark moment.
Launching a New Era for Agroecology in ASEAN
The forum, officially titled Implementing the Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions and Linking to the Green Finance (FIN4GREEN) Forum, served as the official launch of the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions. It was organized by the Lao Facilitated Agroecology for ASEAN (LICA) initiative, in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD), the ASSET project, and key development partners.
With over 100 participants from ASEAN member states — including government leaders, researchers, farmers, and private sector actors — the event provided a crucial platform to align national policies, technical knowledge, and financing strategies for sustainable agriculture across the region.
Our Role in the Forum
As a company built around forest-friendly tea production and agroforestry partnerships with local farmers, Monsoon Tea was invited to share its experience in scaling inclusive and sustainable practices in the private sector.
We engaged in discussions on:
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The role of ethical businesses in supporting agroecological transitions
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The importance of working directly with smallholder farmers
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How agroforestry models like ours can thrive with the right support from green finance mechanisms
It was both humbling and energizing to be in the room with such a wide range of changemakers — from policymakers and ambassadors to grassroots farmers — all working toward the same goal: resilient, inclusive, and nature-positive food systems.
Highlights from the Two-Day Forum
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Day 1 focused on introducing the newly adopted ASEAN agroecology guidelines and celebrating the partnerships that made them possible. We heard powerful opening remarks from the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (Lao PDR), ambassadors from France and the EU, and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat. It was a moment that acknowledged the collective momentum behind agroecology, and the vital role that all sectors — including responsible businesses — must play.
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Day 2 brought a full-day international workshop, packed with dialogue around planning, capacity building, financing, and scaling agroecological systems. We especially valued the sessions on working with farmers and multi-stakeholder collaboration, where we had the chance to share how Monsoon Tea’s model of forest-friendly cultivation aligns with both ecological goals and economic opportunity.
Looking Ahead: From Commitment to Action
One of the strongest takeaways from the FIN4GREEN Forum was this: the policy guidelines are only the beginning. The forum signaled the start of a new phase — one that demands action, innovation, and shared responsibility.
For us at Monsoon Tea, this means continuing to:
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Advocate for agroecology in the private sector
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Strengthen our partnerships with forest communities
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Support mechanisms that make green finance accessible to small producers and sustainable businesses alike
We are excited to see ASEAN's agroecology roadmap come to life — and we’re committed to being a part of that journey.