In this second issue of Volume 30 of *Asian Seed & Planting Material*, we bring you the latest news and updates from the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), as well as the greater APAC and global seed sectors. The issue opens with an address from APSA President Dr. Manish Patel, who reflects on various APSA initiatives over the past quarter and shares his experiences at the ISF World Seed Congress.
APSA Executive Director Francine Sayoc summarizes the association's most timely priorities after returning from Sanya, China, where the executive committee recently met to review progress and preparations for this year’s Asian Seed Congress in December. This issue also includes a wrap-up of the recent APSA-WorldVeg vegetable breeding annual workshop, and summaries from three important meetings that took place in Bangkok in April: the annual midterm meeting of the Working Group for Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies (WIC); the second annual in-person APAC Seed Associations meeting; and APSA's inaugural Regional Workshop on Genetic Resources, Plant Variety Protection, and Biodiversity.
Moreover, we bring you the latest from APSA Technical Affairs and committee activities, along with an exclusive feature on Sanya, China's transformation from a tourist haven to a significant global agricultural hub. Finally, we present a seed trade report with an analysis of import and export receipts for HS 1209 last year, covering all countries and territories in the Asia and Oceanic regions. The magazine concludes with four special tributes in celebration of APSA's 30th Anniversary.
