NEWS

The 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF+3)

    On Friday, 7 October 2011, the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry ( AMAF+3) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, and H.E. Mr. Michihiko Kano, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, attended the Meeting.

    As the price hike of food has become a worldwide concern, food security was the main agenda of the Meeting. In the Meeting, Minister Kano stated that in order to strengthen food security and to address the food price volatility, it is crucial to have sustainable development of agricultural production and the coexistence of various types of agriculture.

   During the meeting, the Ministers and representatives of ASEAN Member States, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea signed the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Agreement that provides a framework to prepare for the emergency, such as major disasters, by stockpiling rice in the region. They also adopted the action policy of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) project that supports the maintenance of agriculture information statistics and the development of human resource that will serve as the foundation for strengthening food security, thereby contributing to the decision-making for food security policies.

   From the outset, Japan has played a leading role in the consideration of issues in the above areas, and the adoption of those activities has become a major contribution to the food security in the region. Japan will continue to work closely with other countries to ensure the food security.