The proposal was made in order to build food reserves and strengthen food security in the region.
At ASEAN's highest forum, President Prabowo emphasized that the threat of a food crisis caused by many factors, including extreme weather and global geopolitical dynamics, needs to be anticipated through cooperation and collaboration between nations.
"This is not a challenge any one country can manage. ASEAN must act together. It also requires streamlining the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve. We must advance our Local Reserve Based Food Reserve," President Prabowo said.
He made the statement during the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit at Mactan Expo, Cebu, Philippines, Friday, as quoted from an official broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat confirmed here on Friday afternoon.
The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), as mentioned by President Prabowo, is a permanent mechanism established by ASEAN together with three partner countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea, specifically for cooperation related to rice reserves.
The APTERR Secretariat officially opened in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2013. President Prabowo then emphasized the need for food security to be a joint ASEAN effort to address various global challenges.
"We must bear in mind that our region has strategic trade routes going through our waters and we must be careful not to allow disruptions within our own region," said the president.
Prabowo also highlighted the threat of extreme weather due to the impact of El Niño, which has been warned by various international organizations. Therefore, Prabowo believes that strengthening ASEAN food security is increasingly urgent.
"We have been warned by international organizations about the very extreme El Nino risk looming in front of us. In this case, food security becomes even more urgent," he said.
In the same forum, the President conveyed the need for active government leadership in building food security.
The Indonesian government, the President said, is committed to taking full responsibility for maintaining national food sovereignty for the welfare of the people and the stability of the country.
"For us, it is the primary responsibility of the government, and the Government of Indonesia is determined to take full responsibility and full sovereignty over this vital sector," said the president.
"Without food, basically there is no society. Without food, there is no independence. Without food, there is no peace," the president added.
During the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit, President Prabowo was accompanied by several state officials seated directly behind him.
These officials included Foreign Minister Sugiono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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