Friday, February 27, 2009

“ASEAN and World Food Security”: A Video Launched in Conjunction with the 14th ASEAN Summit

Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

A video on “ASEAN and World Food Security” was launched today during the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand, to raise the importance of food security in the ASEAN region and at the global level, as well as to call for greater cooperation and support to address food security issues. 

“ASEAN and World Food Security” provides an array of perspectives and the way forward in addressing the issue of food security globally. This video also discusses food security in the ASEAN context and how ASEAN will respond to short- and long-term challenges posed by food security. To ensure long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the ASEAN region, ASEAN Leaders at the 14th ASEAN Summit are expected to embrace food security as a matter of permanent and high priority policy, and review ASEAN’s commitment to achieving the objectives of the World Food Security and the Millennium Development Goals. 

“Food security for ASEAN and the world in the midst of the global financial crisis and the impact of climate change cannot be over-emphasised. The launch of the video today is timely to enhance ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to address food security in the wake of these challenges,” Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, said.

At this Summit, the ASEAN Leaders will consider the adoption of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Food Security in order to pursue this important endeavour.

Dr Surin launched the video with Mr Yoshio Yamane, Advisor of ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese-based food supply chain. The launch was witnessed by Thailand’s Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Teera Wongsamut. The video was produced by the ASEAN Secretariat in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation.

“Collaboration and partnership between the public and private sectors is considered important in tackling food crisis. The private sector can contribute in a number of ways including development of agricultural productivity, improvement of food supply chain system as well as technology for food production at times of emergency needs,” added Mr Yoshio Yamane, the co-producing partner of this video production. 



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