PURPOSE: The aims of the International Day of the tropics observed every year on 29 June; is to celebrate its diversity in providing opportunity to share tropical stories and expertise and to acknowledge the Plant diversity and evolution and potential of the Tropical region. Tropical nations have made significant progress but face a variety of challenges that demand focused attention across a range of development indicators and data in order to achieve the sustainable development goals. To feed a growing world population, predicted to reach 9 billion people by 2050, FAO estimates that agricultural production must increase by 70% globally - and by almost 100 percent in developing countries. But our natural resources are limited, and gains in agricultural production can no longer be obtained the way they were before, or the negative effects will put the productive potential of agriculture at risk. To raise yields and save the environment, while also tackling a host of other challenges to agriculture in the 21st century, climate change being chief among them, we need to produce more with less: a major shift is needed towards sustainable intensification of agriculture. 

FORUM: “Urban and Sustainable food production in the tropics.” International Day of the Tropics 2023. Some of the word's highest rates of population growth are predicted to occur in rural areas of developing countries that are highly dependent on agriculture and where hunger and malnutrition are widespread.  Usually seen as part of the problem, these areas possess an important potential to eradicating poverty and achieving food security: its people, a majority of which are family farmers, especially smallholders. If the right ingredients are put in place, family farmers can quickly move to more productive and sustainable agriculture, which in turn can provide a younger generation with the perspective of a profitable employment. Innovation is key to make that happen, helping agriculture save and grow, and meet its major challenges in the 21st century. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #TropicsDay, #29june, #climatechange, #TheTropics, #BioDiversity #Wildlife, #Dayofthetropics. 

EVENTS: To observe the International Day of the Tropics 2023; The James Cook University in Singapore will held a webinar on June 28th at 5:00 p.m. SGT with a focus on the needs of Sustainable food production in an ever-changing environment. To Participe register here.

PODCASTS: Is life in the tropics getting better? The State of the Tropics Report analyses a range of environmental, social and economic indicators to answer this question. The analysis shines a bright light on a variety of key issues and provides a foundation for policy makers, geopolitical analysts and other stakeholders to examine in greater detail the tropics and the major issues affecting it. Listen to the audio-podcasts!

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Leading Tropical Research. This International Day of the Tropics we join the UN family to celebrate the extraordinary diversity and potential of the region. Get the campaign Materials!