The 12th Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Council hosted by P.R. China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on 24-25 April 2024 in Beijing significantly bolstered regional food security cooperation through the APTERR mechanism.
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Ni Hongxing, Counsel (DG level) of Department of International Cooperation, MARA and Mrs. Hanh Pham Thi Hong, Director of Division, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam. The delegates from APTERR member countries excluding the Philippines, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the APTERR Secretariat were also present at the event.
While reporting the implementation of APTERR activities in 2023, Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, updated the workplan and budget proposal of APTERR operation in 2024. Representatives from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar also reported on the Tier 3 programme implementation as well as shared the progress on their ongoing Tier 3 programmes.
During the meeting, P.R. China vowed to continue a USD 800,000-in cash contribution for FY 2024 Tier 3 programme. Japan also reaffirmed their commitment to provide USD 720,000, equivalent to 622 MT (620-MT milled rice and 2-MT pre-cooked rice) and introduced a new initiative called Tier 3 FLEX to support the implementation of Tier 3. Noting an increase of disaster occurrence and negative impacts of climate changes, the Republic of Korea (ROK) this year announced to increase its Tier 3 contribution to 10,000-MT rice for safeguarding food insecurity in ASEAN Plus Three region.
In addition, the representative from the AFSIS Secretariat presented the AFSIS implementation in 2023 and APTERR-related works in supporting the food security information. The ADB consultant also presented its outcomes of systematic review of the APTERR mechanism.
Following the meeting, the MARA of China arranged a smart agricultural tour to the Xiaotangshan National Demonstration Base for Precision Agricultural Research in Changping District, Beijing to provide the delegates with firsthand insights into China's agricultural practices.
Thanks to all delegates, the 12th APTERR Council Meeting concluded successfully with proactive discussion and fruitful outcomes to enhance APTERR’s efficiency and effectiveness.
The next APTERR Council Meeting will be conducted in Japan in February 2025.
Photo credit: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of P.R. China and APTERR Secretariat
