All countries present at the final intergovernmental plenary session held in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2008 welcome the work of the IAASTD and the uniqueness of this  independent  multistakeholder  and  multidisciplinary process, and the scale of the challenge of covering a broad range of complex issues. The Governments present recog­nize that the Global and Sub-Global Reports are the conclu­sions of studies by a wide range of scientific authors, experts and development specialists and while presenting an overall consensus on the importance of agricultural knowledge, sci­ence and technology for development also provide a diver­sity of views on some issues. All countries see these Reports as a valuable and im­portant contribution to our understanding on agricultural knowledge, science and technology for development, recog­nizing the need to further deepen our understanding of the challenges ahead. This Assessment is a constructive initia­tive and important contribution that all governments need to take forward to ensure that agricultural knowledge, sci­ence and technology fulfills its potential to meet the develop­ment and sustainability goals of the reduction of hunger and poverty, the improvement of rural livelihoods and human

health, and facilitating equitable, socially, environmentally and economically sustainable development. In accordance with the above statement, the following governments accept the East and South Asia and Pacific Report:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, (People's Republic of), India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Philippines, Republic of Palau, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam (11 countries).
While approving the above statement Australia did not fully accept the East and South Asia and Pacific Report. Austra­lia recognizes the IAASTD initiative and reports as a timely and important multistakeholder and multidisciplinary ex­ercise designed to assess and enhance the role of AKST in meeting the global development challenges. The wide range of observations and views presented however, are such that Australia cannot agree with all assertions and options in the report. The report is therefore noted as a useful contribu­tion which will be used for considering the future priorities and scope of AKST in securing economic growth and the alleviation of hunger and poverty.