 There are very few places in the world that the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet reached. In developing countries, COVID-19 has further exposed the vulnerabilities of poor communities. Disruptions in the food value chain, on top of livelihoods lost, pose huge risks to food security and the sustainability of agri-food systems. The rice sector is not spared. Smallholder rice farmers around the world now experience limited resources and even more limited access to farm inputs. Rice exporting countries are also cutting down on exports to prevent supply shocks and to ensure that they have enough for their populations. Rice-based economies in Asia and Africa are not only reeling from the effects of COVID-19 but are also dealing with existing and new challenges that have yet to be addressed. To this end, the International Rice Research Institute interviewed its stakeholders across the regions to get a big picture of their situation with hopes of sharing their voices beyond boundaries. Many initiatives are already being implemented by agriculture actors to allay the compounding impacts of COVID-19 and other challenges. In Africa, Kenya is experiencing its worst locust outbreak in 70 years. This, coupled with the pandemic, will definitely put a strain on the economy. Neighboring countries like Tanzania, Burundi and Mozambique are threatened by a food crisis should further trade blockages occur and agricultural production contract. Governments in the region are fast implementing interventions to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and provide food for even the most vulnerable. In Burundi, the government has updated its rice strategy to include new developments in the rice sector. Development partners have also been quick to respond to the situation and have provided support to farmers at the preventive level. They have helped introduce crops or varieties of shorter cycles, increase areas covered by their interventions and increase the volume of input allocations. South Asia faces many similar challenges, but favorable weather conditions in India have led to record rice production and harvest during the pandemic. Neighboring Bangladesh has also reported sufficient food supply contingent on timely planting and harvest. Issues in logistics, however, have had a negative impact on domestic and international rice trade. Labour shortages are also pushing governments in the region to ramp up initiatives on mechanization. In light of the pandemic, Nepal has proposed a five-point policy for agriculture development, farmer subsidies, accessible and affordable credit, technology service for farmers, crop and livestock insurance, and guaranteed profits. Development partners have allocated budgetary support for COVID response in the region. This has helped minimize the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly crop and livestock farmers. Multiple stakeholders are also providing enhanced support for Southeast Asia, which has seen increasing COVID numbers in recent months. In Myanmar, the Myanmar Rice Federation, Myanmar government and other stakeholders have done an effective job to stabilize the rice market and balance supply and demand. Indonesia and the Philippines, two of the worst hit in the region, face several major challenges in the rice sector. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Indonesian government attempted to stabilize prices, build a buffer of major food stocks, establish social safety nets, and facilitate farmer financing among others. Indonesia is now implementing its strategy in the medium term, followed by initiatives for the long term. There are also several organizations and universities in the Southeast Asian region that have devoted their time to studying COVID-19's impact on the rice sector and the policy recommendations needed to address the situation. While comparably more resilient, East Asia saw a decrease in agricultural budget for China, while South Korea's overproduction problem remains a key challenge. The Chinese and Korean governments, however, have been active in ensuring food security and working with development and bilateral partners on several projects to achieve this. China and South Korea, together with eight agencies, have also been quick to assist countries in the global south. Collaboration and partnerships among governments, the private sector, universities and research institutes, and other stakeholders including women and the youth are key to safeguarding our food systems. Multisectoral partnerships will indeed be crucial in informing policy decisions in future directions as we work together to build back better for food systems resilience and transformation.