APCAS brings together senior statistics officials from FAO member countries of the Asia and Pacific region, who are responsible for the development of agricultural statistics in their respective countries. They review the developments in their agricultural statistics systems since the last session and exchange ideas with experts from FAO and other organizations on the state of food and agricultural statistics in the region. FAO uses this occasion to inform the member countries about its activities during the preceding biennium, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region.

The terms of reference of the Asia and the Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics requires that FAO review the state of food and agricultural statistics in the Region and advise member countries on the development and standardization of agricultural statistics within the general framework of FAO’s work in statistics, and to convene study groups or other subsidiary bodies of national experts required for this purpose. Annex 2 provides the Statutes and Terms of Reference of the Commission.

The biennial meetings of the Commission are organized to:

• assess the current status of food and agricultural statistical development in member countries;
• inform the member countries about the FAO activities in food and agricultural statistics during the preceding biennium, particularly in Asia and the Pacific; and discuss new developments in agricultural statistics.

As such, the 29^th session of APCAS is expected to focus on the impact of COVID-19 on statistical operations, challenges and development for SDG indicators, use of earth observation data, and the 50x2030 initiative. Annex 1 provides a provisional draft agenda.