Task Force Meeting on Development of ASEAN Outlook for Agriculture

The Task Force Meeting on Development of ASEAN Outlook for Agriculture has been successfully organised from 26 to 28 November 2024. The meeting was fully funded by HRD Project under HRD Project Phase 3 Extension in collaboration with Food Agriculture and Forestry Division (FAFD) and GIZ Thailand. The meeting was attended by 113 participants, which consisted of delegations from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, and the Development Partner, including MAFF Japan. Mission of Japan to ASEAN, JIRCAS, ERIA, GIZ, NIE, APO, Mekong Institute, SEAFDEC, Canada, CGIAR, USAID, European Union, CROP LIFE, IFPRI, the ASEAN Secretariat, and HRD Project.

Japan’s commitment was highlighted in the opening remarks by Mr. Hideyuki Morii, Director and Senior Negotiator of the Bilateral Affairs Division, Export and International Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. His remarks underscored Japan’s dedication to advancing the post-2025 Vision for Agriculture in collaboration with ASEAN, aiming to foster resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems under the framework of the “ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan.” This initiative also reflects Japan’s pledge to promote sustainable agriculture through the integration of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

The meeting provided an overview of the ASEAN Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (FAF) sector, presenting its progress, achievements, and the challenges faced in implementing the Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in FAF (2016–2025). Key areas discussed included food, crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry, with a focus on advancing sustainable practices and addressing sectoral challenges.

Discussions during the meeting covered priority areas and topics for the FAF Post-2025 agenda, incorporating diverse regional perspectives and addressing economic and emerging challenges. The scope and inputs for the ASEAN Vision for Agriculture: Towards 2045, along with the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Sectoral Plan for 2026–2030, were deliberated. Additionally, proposed implementation mechanisms and the structure of ASEAN Sectoral Working Groups (ASWGs) under the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) were examined to ensure alignment and effectiveness.