The ASEAN Food Conference (AFC) was first held in Singapore in 1982 and has since become a joint activity of the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (ASEAN COST) and the Federation of Food Science and Technology Institutes in ASEAN (FIFSTA). After Singapore, the conference was held in Philippines in 1985, Thailand in 1988, Indonesia in 1992, Malaysia in 1994, Singapore in 1997, Philippines in 2000, Viet Nam in 2003, Indonesia in 2005, Malaysia in 2007, Brunei in 2009, Thailand in 2011, Singapore in 2013, Philippines in 2015 and Vietnam in 2017. It is held every 2 or 3 years by an ASEAN country that also has an Institute of Food Science and Technology in their country and is a member of FIFSTA. Within ASEAN COST, the Sub Committee on Food Science and Technology (ASCFST) consisting of the National Focal Points of the 10 ASEAN members, is instrumental to advice on the organization of the AFC.

This year (2019) Indonesia Association of Food Technologist (IAFT) as a member of FIFSTA in collaboration with the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Udayana – BALI, and supported by Ministery of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Republic of Indonesia will be a host of 16th AFC which is a bigest food conference in South East Asia countries. The conference with its theme “The Big Picture: Outlook and Opportunities of Food Technology and Culinary for Tourism Industries” will feature experts and authorities who will present the various perspectives, insights, studies and trends in food production and development as the ASEAN community moves into the integration of economies of its member states in 2019. The conference will highlight significant developments in research and innovations in food science and technology with an emphasis on food products innovation. The conference will provide a commonplace for food scientists, government, food industries, and students to present their most recent technological and scientific outcomes of research. And it will also serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, development of research networking and will open doors to new research collaborative opportunities among experts in the field. So, during the event will be featured a series of scientific presentations and discussions in plenary, poster sessions, informal gatherings, competitions and exhibitions.

-Prof. Dr. Nyoman Semadi Antara-
OC 16th ASEAN Food Conference 2019