Bandar Seri Begawan - Asean member countries have endorsed nine new project proposals from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea during the 7th AMAF+3 Meeting in Bangkok on November 2. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Pehin Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.
According to a press release, Asean ministers responsible for agriculture and forestry in their respective countries and the ministers of agriculture of China, Japan and Korea were pleased with the substantive accomplishments under the Asean+3 cooperation in food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry. They also expressed their satisfaction on the project activities and progress made in evaluating the activities by senior officials.
Meanwhile, the ministers from the Plus Three countries reiterated their support in the implementation of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) and providing technical assistance in narrowing development gaps and iliccelerating integration of agriculture as a sustainable sector for economic and social development.
The AMAF+3 ministers recognised the necessity for conserving the natural environment and preserving the social and cultural tradition of rural communities, while promoting sustainable development in agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors.
They also agreed that agriculture; which is the foundation of each and every society, should be maintained and developed to secure a stable supply of safe foods to their own peoples.
The ministers also discussed the implementation of the East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve (EAERR) Pilot Project activities, which provide valuable experiences in meeting the humanitarian needs during periods of emergencies and natural disasters. They also approved the recommendation of the Project Steering Committee of EAERR to extend the EAERR Pilot Project to one more year.
The ministers agreed to the proposed Project Implementation Plan for the second-phase of the Asean Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Project. They welcomed the financial contribution for the second-phase of the AFSIS project from Japan.
They reaffirmed continuing efforts by the Asean+3 countries to control and eradicate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which remains a serious threat to the region.
The ministers recognised regional collaboration effort with international agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) to control and eradicate HPAI.
The nine new project proposals that Asean member countries have endorsed are:
1. Forum on Quality Standards and International Trade of Edible Mushroom 2. Training Course on Asean Food Security Information System 3. Forum on Biomass Energy Exploration and Rural Economic Development for 10+3 Countries 4. East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum 5. Support for the Enhancement of the Postharvest Management Technology for Fresh Agricultural Product 6. Cooperation for the Improvement ofAgricultural Extension Delivery System 7. The Training Programme on Avian Influenza Diagnostic Technique 8. The Training Programme on Plant Quarantine for Asean 9. The Training Programme on the Agriculture Statistical Data Collection Analysis and Dissemination of Information
The 8th AMAF+3 Meeting will be held in Vietnam next year.
Source: www.brudirect.com (6 November 2007)
