1. Michael Johnson and Bingxin Yu International Food Policy research Institute

2. Facilitated by IFPRI, the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS)concept describes a multi-country network of collaborating partners represented by regional web-based platforms that provide access to open data sources, analysis, and readily-available tools and research evidence for informing development strategies while promoting greater cross country learning and sharing of experiences. The primary goal of ReSAKSS is to provide relevant data, analytical and visualization tools, and research evidence that can help promote greater peer review, mutual learning, and progress monitoring during the design and implementation of deveopment strategies for reducing poverty and improving food and nutrition security. 3. To develop a website platform upon which readily-available information and analytical tools can be easily accessible To establish a network of key partner institutions and individuals who share in the goals of ReSAKSS To make available information and tools that include: Open data sources from national governments, regional and international organizations for tracking a few key indicators To monitor and assess progress on key issues concerning agricultural economies, poverty reduction, and food and nutrition security at local, national, and regional levels To promote cross-country lessons from research, policy analyses, impact assessments, policy processes, and practical experiences Provide simple tools for visualizing, modeling, analyzing, and communicating changing patterns in the chosen key indicators To assist in strengthening the capacity for the utilization of information and tools for evidence-based policy making, peer review, and mutual learning To develop the system in such a way that it can be easily transferred and fully operated by a local entity. 4. 1. Strategic analysis: provide data, tools and analysis for monitoring and assessing the impacts of interventions 2. Knowledge management: develop a common pool of up-to-date information on a few key indicators at various levels for undertaking strategic analysis; document lessons from past and ongoing research, policy analysis, impact assessment, policy processes, and practical experiences for improving future strategies 3. Capacity strengthening and policy communication: collaborate and work closely with national and regional networks of partners in carrying out the above activities and in the exchange of skills, training, and practical experiences 4. Policy Communication: communicate through various media and interactions with policy makers on key trends, results of analysis, and emerging challenges at all levels, as well as research findings from both local and international sources. 5. A Web-based platform for accessing data, analytical and visualization tools, knowledge products, and links to related resources. Policy Briefs and Working Papers analyzing key policy issues for food and nutrition security that are generated within the ReSAKSS network of partners among local, regional and international governmental and non- governmental institutions. A flagship trends and outlook report with an evolving focus displaying broader shifts over time and differences across space in key indicators, representing emerging issues in the region 6. Two main issues raised at regional level.. Given diversity in the region, including within a country, important for disaggregation and localized information for targeted policy options, and Critical to be worrying about how best to get the information into the policy process (approaches and tools). Lots of local knowledge and strong capacities in some countries challenge is Drawing such expertise to support those with weaker capacities Generating research and compiling the evidence on practical lessons relevant to key policy challenges faced in the short to medium term Translating the research results and evidence into policy action and investments and most of all learning from M&E 7. 1. Developing information systems with data analysis relevant to local policy needs given that: There is lots of information but a lack of using data for serious analysis and incorporation into policy process. National systems are already doing well in statics and data visualization for policy communication but even more useful if can be interactive with the ability to produce tables, charts, and maps. Provision of latest key indicators from national sources would be particularly useful for policy incorporating simple simulations from policy analysis tools to assess alternative policy impacts. 2. Providing access to state of the art tools and methods 3. Developing a knowledge bank through a network among interested local research institutes producing relevant and credible evidence on agriculture and food security to make their work more visible at regional and international level and easily accessible. 8. Spatial disaggregation of strategy options for food security Sub-national typology to provide more relevant information for policy makers to identify food insecurity hot spots working with other efforts (e.g. WFP and others) and alternative policy responses. National typology to distinguish different needs in food security (food importers vs. food exporters, food self-sufficiency vs. imported food affordability, and more importantly, whats the different nutritional needs, it could be low calorie intake, lack of certain micronutrient, or gender imbalance, or by different demographic group) Regional typology to assess potential spillover effects from neighboring districts that are more food secure or with better food availability or higher income. Monitoring key indicators and corresponding evidence relevant to policy Examining trends and lessons for relevant policy areas e.g. Food production and performance along the value chain; food price trends; wages and incomes, including remittances; on key inputs and along the value chain (fertilizer, credit) for food staples and value added commodities (food processing, horticulture). 9. Tools and approaches for M&E and impact assessment of national and sub-national targeted programs Developing M&E frameworks and selection of indicators Establishing baseline surveys for future impact evaluation Undertaking impact evaluation Capturing lessons of design and implementation Tools and approaches for translating evidence into policy action There is a clearly a demand on how to better translate evidence into the policy process especially as it concerns actionable research (based on practical lessons in the region). We need to be testing how evidence from both research and practice can be communicated and shared with policy makers and other practitioners what approaches, methods and tools work best? Under what conditions? More needs to be done with regard to information and lessons on how it can feed into the design and implementation of agricultural and food security interventions. 10. Through the website, can provide links to various institutions and their ongoing work Undertake collaborative work in key areas and on a demand basis to fill key knowledge gaps Organize periodic seminars and training workshops on state of the art tools and methods Provide ease of access to national level data and trends on key indicators, ongoing efforts across all development partners to encourage greater harmony of individual efforts, peer review, and ensure country-led processes 11. Current workshop web link is already being hosted on the future site of ReSAKSS-Asia (www.resakss-asia.org)