Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin welcomed the endorsement of the Principles for Achieving Food Security Through Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in the APEC Region.
The principles are essential in contributing to a shared understanding among APEC economies of their role in supporting food security and becoming the platform for regional cooperation and commitments to sustainable economic development through the resiliency of agri-food systems, he said. The minister made these comments during the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM).
The principles will support and drive regional conversations about sustainable development, environmental commitments, and trade through the agricultural and food lens necessary to achieve food security. The meeting hosted by the United States (US) via video conference followed the APEC 2023 theme ‘Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All’ and was chaired by US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J Vilsack.
The minister said within the capacities of the APEC economies, enhancing collaborations, knowledge-sharing and implementing policies and regulations that support agri-food systems can attain towards achieving sustainable and resilient long-term viability of agri-food systems and food security in line with the Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030.
The 8th APEC FSMM was held to reaffirm commitment towards transitioning to more sustainable and reliable agri-food system, to face challenges in the global food security while addressing the causes and managing the consequences of climate change through interconnectedness: building a resilient and interconnected region that advances broad-based economic prosperity; innovation: enabling an innovative environment for a sustainable future; and inclusivity: affirming an equitable and inclusive future for all.
US as host, issued the APEC 2023 Food Security Ministerial Chair Statement reaffirming APEC’s acknowledgment on the rising global prices for food and agriculture inputs, concerns over climate change and conflicts affecting food security at both the global and APEC level.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab and senior officials from MPRT were also present. – James Kon
