THE 17th Meeting of the Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministers of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (17th AMAF Plus Three) yesterday concluded in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the Chairmanship of General Chatchai Sarikulya, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kingdom of Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam was represented by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.
The ministers were pleased with the result of the Assessment of the Asean Plus Three Cooperation Strategy (APTCS) on Food, Agriculture and Forestry (2011-2015) showing a significant number of projects/initiatives that have been implemented in the region, focusing on strengthening food security, biomass energy development; sustainable forest management; climate change mitigation and adaptation; enhancement of capacity-building and human resource development; animal and plant health and disease control; strengthening of information system and knowledge networking and exchange; research and development and enhancement of productivity, quality and marketability of agricultural products.
The ministers endorsed the Asean Plus Three Cooperation Strategy on Food, Agriculture and Forestry (APTCS) 2016-2025 to provide scope and joint action for APT cooperation on food, agriculture and forestry with the aims of ensuring food security and livelihoods, promoting sustainable development of agriculture and forestry sectors, enhancing trade of agricultural and forestry-based products, and addressing issues and challenges facing the agriculture and forestry sectors of the APT countries.
This new cooperation strategy is envisioned to contribute towards the realisation of the Asean Community Vision 2025 and advancing the APT collaboration in priority areas of shared interest.
The ministers appreciate the progress in the implementation of the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Agreement, noting the implementation of the Tier 3 programme in particular for APTERR stockpiled rice implementation from Japan and Republic of Korea that are being stored in Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Myanmar.
They also encouraged APTERR parties to continue participating in Tier 3 programmes and to start participating in the Tier 1 programmes.
They also noted the progress of the Asean Plus Three Food Security Information System (AFSIS) particularly in providing a comprehensive platform of information on food security in the region and in improving the statistics on food processing and distribution of agricultural crops in Asean. AFSIS has been encouraged to continue supporting the food security information system.
The Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry extended their appreciation to the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and Republic of Korea for their continuous support and commitment to enhancing the Asean Plus Three Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry.
The 18th Meeting of AMAF Plus Three will be held in Vietnam next year.
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