Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list group underscored the urgency of reevaluating agricultural practices in ASEAN countries amid the threats posed by climate change and other “escalating challenges” to food security and long-term prosperity in the region.
Yamsuan said the ASEAN should prioritize sustainable investments in the food, agriculture and forestry sectors, while adopting a collaborative approach that involves governments, civil societies, private sectors, and parliamentarians who can shape policies and allocate resources to support this goal.
“Parliamentary leadership is crucial in driving the policy reforms needed to enhance food security and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on our food systems. It is incumbent upon us, as elected representatives, to champion policies that incentivize sustainable agricultural practices, promote agro-ecology, safeguard biodiversity, and provide support to farmers and rural communities,” said Yamsuan at the meeting held recently in Indonesia to discuss the role of parliaments in championing the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (ASEAN-RAI).
The event is the third in a series of meetings held this year to discuss the effective implementation of the ASEAN-RAI. The meetings, which began in April, were organized by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
