Foreign Minister Sugiono Expects ASEAN Plus Three To Be A Positive Strength For Food Security And Stability

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono hopes that the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation framework will become a positive force for food security and stability.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said APT is important as an anchor for regional resilience in dealing with multidimensional crises.

Speaking at the ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday, Foreign Minister Sugiono recalled APT which was formed during the 1997 Asian monetary crisis, and played an important role in reducing the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis.

Currently, continued the Indonesian Foreign Minister, APT's cooperation is again being tested by global economic pressure and increasingly sharp geopolitical rivalry.

"If we are able to maintain the spirit of solidarity and joint determination, then we can also face the challenges of this era with the same toughness," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, launching a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, July 11.

Foreign Minister Sugiono further said that food security must be at the core of APT's cooperation.

Although the area has a strong agricultural base, Foreign Minister Sugiono highlighted the vulnerability of the food system due to climate shocks, supply chain disruptions and structural inequality, as reported by the latest Hunger Hotspots by FAO and WFP.

As a result, food prices that continue to increase have caused household purchasing power to decrease, especially vulnerable groups.

"It's time for us to raise the APT Emergency Rice Reserve into a more strategic platform, not just for food distribution in an emergency, but also for supporting sustainable agriculture and better supply chain coordination," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister said Indonesia also encouraged the strengthening of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and the involvement of the private sector in increasing regional food security through public-private partnership schemes.

In addition to food issues, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that APT must continue to be an anchor for regional peace and stability. He reminded that stability does not come by itself, but must be fought for by all countries that have a big interest in the future of the region.

"We must all be a positive force. And international law must always be respected," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

On this occasion, the Indonesian Foreign Minister called for a collaboration paradigm based on mutual trust, mutual respect and shared responsibility.

In this context, Indonesia welcomes the commitment of the Plus Three countries to the ASEAN and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) mechanisms.

"APT must be seen not only as a forum that only responds to crises, but also as a long-term platform to build resilience and peace in an inclusive region," said Foreign Minister Sugiono closing his statement.

It is known, ASEAN Plus Three (APT) is a regional cooperation framework involving 10 ASEAN countries with China, Japan, and South Korea that were formed to strengthen East Asia's integration.

APT aims to promote regional stability, prosperity and resilience through cooperation in the fields of economics, finance, food security, education, disaster management and health.

A concrete example of APT's cooperation is important initiatives such as the FAIR Mai Initiative and APTERR's emergency rice reserves.