Marking a significant milestone: Lokman (centre) together with the delegates of the Asean member states posing for the camera during the 45th Meeting of the Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry. –Bernama
JOHOR BARU: It is important for Asean countries to continue working together to develop, transform and strengthen their agriculture-related sector to benefit the region.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali emphasised this was consistent with the solidarity of the member countries since the inception of the Grouping.
“Ensuring food security and food safety as well as protecting forest ecosystems is crucial not only for each member country but also for the region,’’ he said.
Lokman said this after chairing the Special Senior Officials Meeting of the 45th Meeting of the Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (Special SOM-45th AMAF) here.
He said it was becoming more challenging taking into account the climate change and global warming phenomena which are also affecting the region like in other parts of the world.
“We cannot work in silo as this is the main issue which we are facing and we need to work together to address the matter’’ he added.
He said cooperation among the member countries in the agriculture sector could focus on the exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology and innovations.
Lokman added differences in topographies, rainfalls and heat derivatives should not be a stumbling block for Asean to work together for the common good.
He said the main challenge facing Asean in developing their agriculture sector and protecting their forest was the increasing population density.
Lokman added the increase would lead to concerns on land utilisations for developments either for housing needs, commercialisation or industrialisation.
“This will give us immense pressure and create a dilemma for each of us to come out with a balanced approach for better use of the lands,’’ he said.
Lokman said this would affect the use of agricultural land and forestry areas, adding that this was something that Asean needed to work together to address.
“Failing or choosing to ignore the issue at the root level could spell disaster for us,’’ he said.
Lokman said the way forward for Asean was to embrace and invest in technology, and intensify research and development, to further develop, transform and strengthen its agriculture sector.
He said on that note, Malaysia has proposed two Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) during its 45th AMAF chairmanship, which would also coincide with the Asean chairmanship in 2025.
Lokman said the PEDs are aimed at achieving a more sustainable development of the agriculture and forestry sector as well as enhancing and strengthening food security in the region.
“The proposed PEDs next year are timely and reflective of the current challenges faced by Asean,’’ he said.
The PEDs, themed “Growing Together: Advancing Asean Agriculture and Forestry Sustainable Development”, are focused on two main subjects:
> The Development of Outlook for Asean Agriculture and Forestry, which will include the current scenario as well as provide future insights;
> The Development of the Plan of Action on Food Security (2026-2030), which is the continuation of the current Plan of Action on Food Security (2021-2025).
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, was established on Aug 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the Asean Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of Asean: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Asean is a political and economic union of 10 states in South-East Asia.
Together its member states represent a population of 673.02 million as of 2022, over a land area of 4.5 million sq km.
