JAKARTA (ANTARA) – Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi encourages increased cooperation between ASEAN and Canada in the field of food security.
According to a written statement issued by the ministry on Friday, the minister said food security remains a global and regional imperative.
Speaking at the ASEAN-Canada foreign ministers’ meeting in Vientiane, Laos, the same day, she stressed the importance of countries working closely together to ensure food supply, availability and affordability.
Marsudi stressed that Canada is an important partner for ASEAN in building regional food security.
At the time, she conveyed Indonesia’s hope for concrete and swift implementation of food security cooperation between ASEAN and Canada.
ASEAN and Canadian leaders agreed to the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Responding to Crises during Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.
Marsudi explained that cooperation can be implemented by establishing an ASEAN-Canada mechanism to secure various agricultural needs such as fertilizer during crises, as well as collaborating on agricultural technologies to improve the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems.
Speaking on issues of women, peace and security, she called on Canada to support the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators (SEAWPM), a mechanism for women negotiators and mediators in Southeast Asia.
Marsudi praised Canada for resuming humanitarian assistance to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
She also called on Canada, represented at the conference by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joy, to immediately recognize a Palestinian state and support its full membership in the United Nations.
Marsudi stressed that this step is crucial in advancing the two-state solution process.
Last year, ASEAN and Canada elevated their cooperation to the level of a strategic partnership.
Indonesia welcomed the upgraded partner status and noted that Canada’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific is concretely reflected in its cooperation with the region.
Indonesia also welcomes the ASEAN-Canada Summit to be held in October.
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