The first plenary session, titled, Some International Perspectives on Day 1 (November 6, 2025) was chaired by Madhura Swaminathan, Professor and Head, Economic Analysis Unit, Indian Statistical Institute. The session brought together Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security Impact Area Platform, CGIAR; World Food Prize Winner; and Cao Đức Phát, Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam, to discuss global food systems and Asian rice economies.