The government supported a joint statement on “Sustainable Agricultural Productions and Food System” initiated by Japan as it complements Cambodia’s Agriculture Sector Strategic Development Plan and Policy 2030.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon expressed the support during a video conference held on July 19 with his Japanese counterpart Nogami Kotaro. Also in attendance were ASEAN ministers of agriculture from Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam to study the statement.

Sakhon thanked Kotaro for initiating the statement, saying: “The Cambodian side fully supports the joint statement because it is in line with our plan and policy.”

He added that the Cambodian initiative had detailed policies to encourage agricultural production, increase efficiency and competitiveness taking into account environmental sustainability.

As a host country, Kotaro made a welcome speech, highlighting the efforts and cooperation with other countries and especially with ASEAN to combat climate change.

He said the purpose of the statement was to draw the attention of countries around the world to agriculture-reliant nations, especially to those in the monsoon region because climate change is the main contributing factor that influences sustainable agricultural production and food systems of ASEAN.

He added that the joint statement will play a crucial role in developing partnerships with other countries and the private sector and strengthen international cooperation to assist agriculture-reliant countries with financial resources and modern agricultural techniques.

Kotaro said the joint statement will be included in his address at the pre-Summit on Food System to be held in Rome, Italy, in September.

Some other ASEAN ministers of agriculture who attended the meeting also expressed goodwill to support the statement.