Malaysia calls for stronger APEC cooperation in food security

Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Ronald Kiandee at the event (Photo: Internet)

Malaysia has called for stronger efforts and cooperation in food security among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries to face post-COVID-19 challenges.

The Malaysian Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) in a statement said the message was conveyed by its minister, Dr Ronald Kiandee when chairing APEC’s Ministerial Policy Dialogue on Food Security, which was held virtually on October 27.

Minister Kiandee, in his welcoming address, said cooperation should be further enhanced in the fields of food technology, innovation and capacity building.

According to the minister, importance should be given to improving the resiliency of food systems, ensuring sustainable food resources and thorough usage of technology and digital economy in the agriculture sector. He added that this would ensure that the APEC economies have the ability to address any uncertainties in future.

MAFI said the dialogue involving 21 APEC and APEC Business Advisory Council countries, also came up with a statement on facilitating the flow of food and agricultural products across borders, minimising disruptions on the global food supply chain and ensuring the trade links remain open for regional food security sustainability./. 
VNA