Regional Meeting : ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting

At the invitation of the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung attended the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting in Pasig, Metro Manila of the Philippines from October 1st to 3rd.

In his speech on the 1st day of the meeting, the Union Minister expressed his appreciations for the ASEAN represeentatives for their support during previous chairmanship and conveyed his deepest condolences for all the deceased victims and bereaved families in Cebu due to devastating earthquake on 30th September.

After underscoring the significant achievements and outcomes during his chairmanship, the Union Minister handed over the chairmanship to the Philippines. During the 1st day of the meeting, discussions were made on the important outcomes of the 46th ASEAN Summit and 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, the new ASEAN Vision for Food, Agriculture and Forestry 2045, along with its cooperation framework, ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry 2026-2030 sector plan and long-term aspirations.

The Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in food, agriculture and forestry. Moreover, the 23 work projects were sought and 8 of them were recorded. The meeting was concluded after seeking approval for the joint declaration of the 47thAMAF Meeting.

The 2nd Day of the meeting continued on 2nd October, emphasizing on clarifications and discussions pertain to ASEAN+3 Food, Agriculture and Forestry Cooperation Strategy 2016-2025, ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve and ASEAN water and food security.

The meeting also focused on successful implementation of projects in areas such as long-term forestry management, marine sector development, food value chain improvement and cross border animal and plant disease control measures. During the meeting, the ASEAN+3 Food, Agriculture and Forestry Cooperation Strategy 2026-2035 and the 25th ASEAN+3 Agriculture and Forestry Ministers Meeting’s Joint Declaration were adopted.

In the afternoon, the 2nd ASEAN-Japan Agriculture and Forestry Ministers Meeting was held, focusing on ASEAN-Japan Midori Cooperation Plan and affirmed to ensure sustainable and innovative agriculture and food security system. The meeting was concluded after adopting the joint declaration.