19-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Arsjad Rasjid, Chairperson of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) 2023, has expressed his intention to establish food security collaborations with Russia and India during the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting.
This proposition comes in the wake of recent restrictive food-related policies implemented by India and Russia, which have raised concerns about global food security.
Speaking after the ASEAN-BAC Joint Business Council (JBC) Meeting held in the city on Friday, Rasjid underscored the significance of food security, particularly in light of the looming threat of a global food crisis and the adverse effects of climate change.
In this context, the AEM forum is seen as an opportunity to foster cooperation with various nations to bolster global food security.
“People’s welfare is our top priority when discussing food security. We want to ensure our people are well taken care of. Hence, we support any initiatives aimed at enhancing food security,” Rasjid asserted.
The 55th AEM 2023 is scheduled from August 17 to 22, 2023.
During the initial day of the AEM on Thursday, Indonesia chaired a gathering of senior ASEAN economic officials, which extended until Friday before transitioning to the ministerial meeting agenda from Saturday (August 19) to Tuesday (August 22).
Furthermore, the AEM agenda for Monday (August 21) will comprise separate sessions with Russia and India, as part of the 12th AEM-Russia Consultation and 20th AEM-India Consultation forums, respectively.
In July 2023, the Indian Government imposed a formal ban on the export of non-basmati white rice to safeguard domestic rice supplies and curtail price surges in the local market attributed to climate change.
This action followed India’s announcement in September of the previous year, when it banned the export of broken rice.
Meanwhile, Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative is seen as a further threat to global food security.
