President Prabowo Emphasizes Importance of Strengthened Regional Food Security at 48 th ASEAN Summit

The plenary session of the 48 th ASEAN Summit held at the Mactan Expo, Cebu, the Philippines, Friday (5/8). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of strengthened regional food security as a joint effort of ASEAN to face global challenges. This was conveyed by President Prabowo during the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit held at the Mactan Expo, Cebu, the Philippines, Friday (5/8).

“We must be aware that our region has strategic trade routes that pass through our waters, and we must be careful not to cause disruption in our own territory,” said President Prabowo.

The President reminded of the threat of extreme El Niño which has been warned by various international organizations and could impact regional food security. Under these circumstances, the President believes that strengthened food security in ASEAN is even more urgent.

“We have been warned by international organizations about the risk of extreme El Niño looming ahead. In this regard, food security has become even more urgent,” he said.

According to the President, food challenges cannot be addressed by individual countries alone, requiring stronger cooperation and coordination at the regional level. He also encouraged strengthened information exchange, food diversification, agricultural technology development, and ASEAN regional food reserve optimization.

“This is not a challenge that can be addressed by one country alone. ASEAN must act together. This also requires simplifying the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve mechanism. We must advance our Local Reserve-Based Food Reserves,” President Prabowo said.

Furthermore, the President emphasized that food security requires leadership and active intervention by the Government, adding that the Indonesian Government is committed to taking full responsibility for safeguarding national food sovereignty to ensure public welfare and national stability.

“For us, this is the Government’s major responsibility, and the Indonesian Government is determined to assume full responsibility and sovereignty over this vital sector. Without food, there is essentially no society. Without food, there is no freedom. Without food, there is no peace,” President Prabowo concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MMB)