Without food, there is no peace
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged ASEAN nations to bolster regional food security to counter extreme weather and global geopolitical shifts.

During the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday, Prabowo emphasized that food is a vital necessity and crucial for both the people's livelihoods and the stability of the nation.

"Without food, basically there is no society. Without food, there is no independence. Without food, there is no peace," Prabowo said as cited from an official press release of the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom).

President Prabowo underlined that agriculture is a strategic sector that determines food security. Therefore, the government must actively secure the continuity of national food production.

"Agriculture is too important. Food security is important. 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," he remarked.

Related news: Indonesia calls on ASEAN to prioritize protection of nationals

In this regard, the president stressed that Indonesia cannot rely solely on market mechanisms for agriculture. Prabowo argued that government intervention is vital to safeguard production and distribution in the face of global challenges.

"Food security is about government leadership, government intervention. Indonesia does not believe that agriculture should be left only to the private sector," he added.

Meanwhile, regarding regional cooperation, President Prabowo proposed streamlining the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) mechanism.

"We must advance our Local Reserve-Based Food Reserves," he stressed.

APTERR is a permanent mechanism established by ASEAN together with three partner countries, China, Japan, and South Korea, specifically to address cooperation on rice reserves. The APTERR Secretariat has been officially operating in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2013.

Related news: Prabowo urges ASEAN to simplify APTERR mechanism, develop local food

Translator: Genta Tenri, Raka Adji
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
Copyright © ANTARA 2026