Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ASEAN cooperation on food and energy security amid geopolitical tensions that continue disrupting global supply chains and commodity prices.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela said rising geopolitical uncertainty had affected global supplies of energy, fertilizer and food commodities.

“Indonesia encourages an integrated approach to food and energy issues, including fertilizer, logistics and price stability,” Mulachela told ANTARA on Saturday.

He said Indonesia continued promoting stronger regional food security through ASEAN platforms, including the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry meeting.

According to Mulachela, ASEAN members need to improve regional coordination, strengthen food reserves and enhance monitoring and early warning systems against potential food crises.

Indonesia is also seeking to ensure agreements reached during its 2023 ASEAN chairmanship remain a reference for regional food security policies, he added.

“Indonesia continues to push implementation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition adopted in 2023,” he said.

During the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry meeting on April 29, member states discussed strengthening emergency rice reserves through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve mechanism and the ASEAN Food Security Information System.

Mulachela said the meeting also discussed preparedness for non-rice commodities and diversification of fertilizer and energy supply sources.

The 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, the Philippines, last week identified energy security, food security and citizen safety among ASEAN’s top priorities.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said regional leaders called for open and predictable markets, stronger supply-chain connectivity and improved monitoring of regional food reserves.

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