October 2009: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has published an overview and strategic framework for biofuels development in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The study notes that high fossil fuel prices, energy security concerns and environmental issues, particularly climate change, motivated countries to explore alternative sources of energy, but the food crisis of 2008, attributed in part to the diversion of food crops to biofuel production, has motivated an examination of the implications of biofuel policies for the agricultural sector. The study proposes strategies and options to develop alternative renewable sources of energy with a focus on biofuels that would promote both energy security and diversification in agricultural production, with the final objective of raising small-farmers incomes, strengthening food security and reducing poverty.[The Study]