Marcos urges ASEAN, Japan to craft 10-year food security roadmap

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan to come up with a 10-year roadmap that is climate change-resilient and people-centered to ensure food security in the region.
 

In his intervention during the third session of the 50th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, Marcos said the ASEAN-Japan relationship has evolved and progressed over the past 50 years, particularly in shared commitment towards food security, climate action, and energy security, among others.

“As one of the countries most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, the Philippines realizes that agriculture is intrinsically linked with climate,” he said.

“Inasmuch as food security is one of my administration’s top priorities, I encourage new agricultural technologies and the crafting of a climate change-resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered ASEAN-Japan Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap beyond 2025 for the next 10 years,” he added.

Marcos further stressed that sustainable energy security is a twin priority of clean energy to build a low-carbon region and address climate change.

“The Philippines encourages ASEAN Member States and Japan to undertake novel joint ventures to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and enhance environmental sustainability,” the president said.

This as the Philippines garnered a seat on the board of the climate disaster fund called “Loss and Damage Fund," according to Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga Thursday.

Marcos also said he is confident that the partnership will continue to grow and expand with the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in place.

He also anticipates “an even more vigorous economic relation” with the recent addition of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision that recommends the future direction of ASEAN-Japan cooperation.

Marcos said the Philippines is also keen to collaborate with Japan to bring about the initiatives set out in the Future Design and Action Plan for Innovative and Sustainable ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation of 2023 to 2033.

“The Philippines is particularly pleased that the vision includes pillars that aim to achieve sustainability while striking a balance between diversity and inclusiveness as well as building an ecosystem for co-creating human capital,” he said.

“Our young, dynamic, and skilled people are certain to play a vital role in shaping this vision in the path towards the Industry 4.0 Economy.”—RF, GMA Integrated News