Enhancing regional food security and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agenda items during Malaysia’s tenure as ASEAN Chair in 2025, said Malaysian House of Representatives Speaker Johari Abdul.
Mr. Johari stressed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has aggravated the food insecurity situation, and called on ASEAN member countries to strengthen cooperation to solve this problem. ASEAN countries should take advantage of their common strengths in large agricultural land areas, financial strength, human resources and technology to create a food security region.
To do this, member states should share ideas, experiences and expertise to boost research and development efforts. With a combined population of 680 million, ASEAN has the potential to become a significant intra-regional market.
As the incoming chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Mr. Johari reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to advancing other key agendas, including climate change initiatives, during his ASEAN Chairmanship year. He highlighted the promotion of renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, hydropower and solar power, and called on ASEAN countries to invest in their youth and education to nurture future leaders capable of upholding the bloc’s status as the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN).
To maintain peace and security in the region, as ASEAN Chair 2025, Malaysia will continue to promote the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar (5PC) and work towards convening in-depth dialogues to find a comprehensive and lasting political solution to the Myanmar crisis. Indonesia, the ASEAN Chair 2023, affirmed its readiness to continue to assist Myanmar in ending the crisis, in coordination with Laos (ASEAN Chair 2024) and Malaysia (ASEAN Chair 2025).
KHANH MINH
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