International Rubber Research and Development Board

24/05/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

🇨🇳 July 15-16, 2026 | Haikou, Hainan Province, P.R. China

The IRRDB Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the 𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐆𝐀𝐏) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. The workshop will be organized by the IRRDB Crop Management Specialist Group, and in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS).

The workshop will be hosted by CATAS in Haikou, Hainan Province, P.R. China, from 15th to 16th July 2026, with a theme: 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝘼𝙋 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨: 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨.

𝗧𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁:
➡️Registration Form and CV (See attached form in the comments)
📌Early Deadline for registration: 30th May 2026
As processing official invitations takes time, we encourage early registration.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Participants are invited to submit:
➡️Oral presentation PowerPoints
📌Submission deadline: 1st July 2026
𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨:
📨[email protected]
CC: [email protected] and [email protected].

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁:
Mr. Phen Phearun, Liaison Officer, Crop Management Specialist Group
Cambodian Rubber Research Institute (CRRI)
Tel: +855-12449431
Email: [email protected]

or

Dr. AN Feng, Contact Person in China
Crop Management Specialist Group
Rubber Research Institute, CATAS
Tel: +86-13976125131
Email: [email protected]

For further inquiries, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗗𝗕 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁, Dr. Dania/Mr. Irwan at [email protected]

See you there! 🌱🧑‍🔬

15/05/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

The IRRDB community also extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Tran Dinh Minh on his appointment as Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV).

RRIV has long been one of IRRDB’s valued member institutions and a strong partner in advancing research collaboration, innovation, and the sustainable development of the natural rubber industry regionally and globally. We look forward to further strengthening the longstanding cooperation and collaboration between our institutions.

Congratulations, Dr. Tran! 🌱

15/05/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

The IRRDB community extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Cheryl L. Eusala for her re-appointment as the Executive Director III of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI).

PRRI is one of IRRDB’s active member institutions. Her continued leadership reflects the strong commitment of the Philippines towards advancing research, innovation, and regional collaboration within the natural rubber sector.

Congratulations, Dr. Cheryl! 🌱

11/05/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫é 𝐂𝐥é𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

The International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) expresses its profound sadness to share the news of the passing of Mr. André Clément-Demange on 6 May 2026.

Mr. André Clément-Demange devoted his professional life to the advancement of rubber tree breeding, varietal improvement, and the development of the natural rubber sector. Throughout his distinguished career, he worked closely with many researchers and institutions within the IRRDB network and made significant contributions to international collaboration in rubber research and development.

A passionate agronomist deeply committed to agricultural development and scientific excellence, Mr. André joined CIRAD in August 1985 for his first assignment in Bimbresso, Côte d’Ivoire, where he was responsible for rubber tree breeding and genetic improvement. During his ten years in West Africa, he played a major role in the creation and development of the IRCA clones and contributed substantially to research on this strategic crop. His enthusiasm, dedication, and ability to mentor younger colleagues left a lasting impact on many researchers and professionals in the field.

From 1995 onwards, he continued his work at CIRAD Montpellier, dedicating much of his career to rubber tree varietal improvement and strengthening international scientific cooperation, particularly with partners in Brazil, Thailand, Cambodia, and several African countries. Mr. André was widely respected for his expertise in varietal selection, genetics, and disease resistance, and he inspired generations of scientists and engineers through his commitment to knowledge sharing and mentorship.

Those who had the privilege of working with Mr. André will remember him as a humble, generous, and highly dedicated colleague who cared deeply for both his work and the people around him. His contributions to the rubber value chain and to the global rubber research community will long be remembered.

On behalf of the IRRDB community, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, children, family members, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

The funeral service for Mr. André Clément-Demange will take place on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Mauguio, France.

May he be remembered with honor and gratitude.

06/05/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
🇮🇩 June 30 - July 2, 2026 | Bali, Indonesia

The IRRDB Secretariat is pleased to announce the 𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗗𝗕 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗼-𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 will be organized by IRRDB and Pusat Penelitian Karet (Indonesian Rubber Research Institute) from 𝟯𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 at Hotel Aryaduta, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.

The seminar, themed “𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣” will bring together experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss key socio-economic developments in the natural rubber sector.

Among the key focus areas of the seminar are:
• Global rubber market outlook and price trends
• Economic resilience of the natural rubber agribusiness
• Downstream development and value addition
• Emerging opportunities such as rubberwood utilization and carbon markets
• Compliance with international regulations and sustainability standards (including EUDR)

The programme will feature keynote and invited speakers from IRRDB member countries, international organizations, academia, and industry leaders.

Please find the detailed announcement attached for your reference, including programme highlights, registration information, and contact details of the organizing committee. Registration fees are waived for IRRDB members and Associate Members.

We look forward to your participation and continued support in making this seminar a success.

See you there! 🌱

06/05/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
[Update to 1st Announcement]
🇻🇳 May 31 - June 6, 2026 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The IRRDB Secretariat is pleased to announce that the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV) and the IRRDB will organize the 𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗗𝗕 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 from 31 May to 6 June 2026 in Ben Cat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Further to our previous announcement, we would like to inform you that the registration deadline has been extended to 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

This extension is provided to allow additional time for nominations and registrations.

We warmly encourage all Member Institutes and relevant stakeholders to take this opportunity to nominate suitable participants and complete the registration process.

📌𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEbg39-5DkV6k1Lcz3xeBFutlyyEQhB2mv8UQ1eIzKuTOaPA/viewform?usp=dialog

We look forward to your active participation and continued support in making this programme a success.

For further enquiries, please contact the RRIV organizing team as indicated in the attached announcement documents.

The IRRDB Secretariat greatly appreciates your continued support and cooperation in making this programme a success.

More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18RspYiWUv/

See you there! 🌱

29/04/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝-𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

🇲🇾 April 28, 2026 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The IRRDB Youth Specialist Group, NextGeNRE, officially launched its 2026 webinar series on 28 April 2026, bringing together leading experts to unpack the evolving dynamics of the global natural rubber industry amid continuing regional instability affecting markets and global value chains.

In his first webinar appearance as IRRDB Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman bin Wan Yaacob opened the session by highlighting the current challenges facing the natural rubber sector and emphasising the importance of ensuring that IRRDB activities generate meaningful and practical outcomes. He noted that socioeconomic perspectives on natural rubber are especially timely in light of ongoing global developments.

Dr. Wan further underscored how geopolitical tensions and the lingering post-COVID disruptions continue to reshape the industry through shifting supply chains and emerging trends such as in-shoring. He also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between IRRDB and industry stakeholders to better understand these challenges and jointly develop effective solutions.

Moderated by Dr. James Jacob, former Director of the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), the webinar featured three speakers from IRRDB member institutions.

Dr. Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), presented a global market outlook, explaining how geopolitical conflicts and rising oil prices are reshaping the rubber market and disrupting supply chains. He noted that higher oil prices have significantly increased synthetic rubber costs, thereby improving the competitiveness of natural rubber. Despite modest growth in production, global demand continues to exceed supply, creating a structural deficit and new opportunities for producing countries, particularly with growing demand from the electric vehicle sector.

Dr. Ebenezer O. Abolagba, Research Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN), focused on Africa’s role in the global market. He explained that the region remains largely a price taker due to structural limitations such as limited value addition, infrastructure gaps, and reliance on raw material exports. He highlighted key price determinants including global demand and supply trends, production levels, cost structures, and quality standards, while calling for stronger investment in processing capacity and value-added industries.

Dr. Lina Fatayati Syarifa, Deputy Director for Research and Development of the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute (IRRI), shared insights on Indonesia’s industry performance. She highlighted key challenges including low prices, declining productivity, and disease outbreaks such as Pestalotiopsis, which have significantly reduced yields. She stressed the importance of replanting with high-yielding and disease-resistant clones, improving agronomic practices, and strengthening supply chains through better market systems and government support.

Across all presentations, a common message emerged: while the sector faces increasing uncertainty from geopolitical tensions and climate-related impacts, significant opportunities remain through innovation, collaboration, supply chain diversification, and stronger resilience across the value chain.

With more than 80 participants online, this webinar marks the first of ten planned sessions under the IRRDB Youth Specialist Group’s 2026 series, led by Mr. Jess Bryan Alvariño, NextGeNRE Liaison Officer from the Philippines.

28/04/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘

The 2026 NextGeNRE Webinar Series: Natural Rubber Socio-economics, April 28, 2026, at 3:30 PM (Malaysia Time) via Zoom

You can use the Zoom details below:
📌 IRRDB Webinar Series 2026 : NR Socioeconomics
Join Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81930571781?pwd=53saMhdjfbrkCBFaaPBc6Qn3knPbVW.1

Meeting ID: 819 3057 1781
Passcode: 067072

See you all! 🍃

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

The IRRDB Secretariat is thrilled to invite you to the 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲!

Our 2026 webinar series becomes even more exciting as it brings together timely and relevant topics in the Natural Rubber (NR) industry, in partnership with various IRRDB Specialist Groups and State Universities. 🧑‍💻

To kick off the 2026 series, we warmly invite you to our first webinar on“𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀.” This session will take a closer look at how current global events and regional challenges are influencing the rubber industry today.

This event is scheduled for April 28, 2026 (Tuesday), from 3:30 PM onwards (Malaysian Standard Time) via Zoom.

📌This webinar is OPEN FOR ALL! Register for free at https://forms.gle/5Gr8tAtC4gLyr7BD8 to receive your Zoom credentials.

We look forward to seeing you online!

24/04/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
[First Announcement]
🇻🇳 May 31 - June 6, 2026 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The IRRDB Secretariat is pleased to announce that the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV) and the IRRDB will organize the 𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗗𝗕 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 from 31 May to 6 June 2026 in Ben Cat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This course aims to strengthen the capacity of IRRDB member institutions and related organizations in rubber latex physiology analysis for latex diagnosis. The programme will combine theoretical lectures, laboratory practical sessions, and field applications delivered by RRIV experts together with invited international specialists, including experts from CIRAD.

𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴
RRIV will provide local transportation and meals during the training course. For each IRRDB member institution, one representative will be supported by RRIV, including accommodation at the RRIV staff guesthouse, subject to room availability.

Accommodation at the guesthouse will be provided in shared rooms (2 persons per room) with basic facilities (fans only and no air-conditioning). As rooms are limited, allocation will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

If additional participants are nominated by the same IRRDB member institution, they will be required to pay a training fee of USD 400 per person and arrange their own hotel accommodation at their own expense.

Participants are responsible for covering their own international travel to and from Vietnam, visa fees, travel insurance, and other personal expenses not included in the official programme.

As participation is 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬, early nomination and registration are strongly encouraged. Kindly submit registrations by 𝟱 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

📌𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEbg39-5DkV6k1Lcz3xeBFutlyyEQhB2mv8UQ1eIzKuTOaPA/viewform?usp=dialog

For further enquiries, please contact the RRIV organizing team as indicated in the attached announcement documents.

The IRRDB Secretariat greatly appreciates your continued support and cooperation in making this programme a success.

See you there! 🌱

23/04/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄

#𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿! 👏🌱

Meet the Liaison Officer of IRRDB Socioeconomics Specialist Group, Dr. Lina Fatayati Syarifa from the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute (IRRI).

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽
The Socio-Economic Specialist Group is dedicated to fostering collaboration among member countries in researching the socio-economic dimensions of the natural rubber sector. Its mission is to better understand and address the economic and social challenges faced by rubber farmers.

The Group promotes collaborative research initiatives to generate deeper insights into the socio-economic conditions of rubber-producing communities. This includes the collection and analysis of data on income levels, living conditions, and key challenges faced by farmers. It also aims to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to improve livelihoods and enhance the long-term sustainability of the rubber industry.

In addition, the SG places strong emphasis on capacity building among member countries to strengthen socio-economic research capabilities, while facilitating the sharing of research findings and best practices to encourage mutual learning and regional cooperation.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿
Dr. Lina Fatayati Syarifa is the Deputy Director for Research and Development at the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute. She has been actively engaged as a socio-economic researcher at the institute since 2003 and obtained her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics in 2020 from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor.
Throughout her career, Dr. Lina has held several key leadership roles, including serving as Head of the Socioeconomic Division since 2019 and as Deputy Director for Finance, Human Resource Development, and General Affairs from 2021 to 2024. As a principal researcher, she has led and contributed to numerous international collaborations with institutions such as CIRAD (France), Tropenbos, ICRAF, and RIKEN (Japan), and has published more than 60 scientific papers.

𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽
As the newest Liaison Officer, Dr. Lina aims to foster deeper collaboration among researchers across IRRDB member countries. The Group will prioritise addressing key issues in the global rubber economy, including market outlook, price volatility, and the welfare of rubber smallholders.

Efforts will also focus on strengthening the global value chain and enhancing the downstream sector to increase the overall value of rubber-based products. In parallel, the Group seeks to explore emerging economic opportunities such as rubberwood utilisation and participation in carbon markets, while embedding sustainability considerations across all initiatives.

Through these collaborative efforts, members and stakeholders can expect enhanced knowledge exchange, more coordinated research initiatives, and actionable insights, contributing to a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable global rubber industry.

The IRRDB has 12 Specialist Groups, each led by an appointed Liaison Officer serving a two-year term. These groups focus on key areas shaping the future of the natural rubber industry.

🧐 Stay tuned as we feature each of our Liaison Officers in the coming days!

21/04/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬

The IRRDB Secretariat held a virtual meeting with Liaison Officers on 20 April 2026, joined by Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary-General, for an introductory session and discussion on the 2026 activities.

Dr. Wan welcomed both newly appointed and returning Liaison Officers, expressing appreciation for their continued commitment to IRRDB’s mission. Discussions focused on the approved 2026 activities, as well as key global challenges affecting the natural rubber sector, including geopolitical tensions, post-pandemic disruptions, and supply chain constraints.

Among the priority issues highlighted were fertilizer supply and pricing, alternative crop management strategies, shortages of manufacturing inputs, and emerging industry trends such as near-shoring and in-shoring.

Dr. Wan emphasised the importance of reviewing past IRRDB initiatives and ensuring that all planned activities generate measurable outcomes. He also encouraged member countries to revisit previous research and innovations, including bio-composting, effective microbes, and alternative materials, to further strengthen industry resilience.

This meeting marked Dr. Wan’s first official engagement as Deputy Secretary-General, with 11 dedicated Liaison Officers participating alongside the IRRDB Secretariat.