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38th AMAF, related meetings focus on enhancing cooperation in food, agriculture, sustainability

Xinhua, October 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

The 38th meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and 16th AMAF plus three meetings were held here on Thursday, which focus on enhancing cooperation in food, agriculture and sustainability.

Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan graced the opening ceremony of the meetings on Thursday, stressing agriculture will always be a key priority for ASEAN, and AMAF is an ideal platform for regional cooperation and partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Khaw noted the issue of antimicrobial resistance in agriculture which can threaten global public health, impact agriculture, food security and safety, as well as food trade. Khaw also called for cooperation and showed Singapore's commitments for action.

"We will focus on reducing antimicrobial usage in agriculture, building up regional laboratory testing capability and promoting sustainable information exchange among ASEAN Member States," said Khaw.

According to a joint press statement released by ASEAN Secretariat on Thursday, ASEAN ministers were pleased with the successful implementation of the initiatives related to food, agriculture and forestry cooperation in supporting the completion of the Roadmap for the ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and the establishment of the ASEAN Community.

They reiterated commitments to intensify cooperation to contribute to the realization of the ASEAN Community 2025, noting the progress of streamlining structure under AMAF as well as urging senior officials to complete the process and present the outcomes to the AMAF for ad-referendum approval.

The ministers also endorsed several documents to enhance cooperation in food safety and product quality, forestry as well as fishery. The statement also noted the importance of cooperation with ASEAN's dialogue partners and international organizations. Endit