Marcos urges ASEAN to make climate change-resilient plans for food security

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to develop a 10-year roadmap on climate-resilient plans to ensure food security in the region.

During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit Session Two in Tokyo, Marcos particularly requested assistance from Japan, which he sees as a major player in Southeast Asia's economic growth, action on climate change, and adoption of new technologies.

The president stressed the need for new agricultural technologies and climate change-resilient, sustainable, and inclusive roadmap for the next 10 years.

The ASEAN-Japan Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap will include efforts that will reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and enhance environmental sustainability.

“I am confident that this partnership will continue to grow and expand with the AJCEP Agreement [ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement] and RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership] in place,” Marcos said.

A comprehensive economic partnership is a free trade agreement between two or more countries.

“Furthermore, with the recent addition of the 'ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision' that recommends the future direction of ASEAN-Japan cooperation, we anticipate an even more vigorous economic relation,” he added.

This comes after the Philippines secured a seat in the “loss and damage” fund board of a United Nations initiative where governments discuss efforts to limit and prepare for future climate change.

Marcos also welcomed new cooperation initiatives with Japan that facilitate the development of robust supply chain strategies through diversification, digitalization, and risk management.

“As the world becomes more interconnected, ASEAN must develop its physical connectivity and digital infrastructure as foundations for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, economic integration, competitiveness, and resilience,” Marcos said, adding ASEAN and Japan must also expand digital literacy to speed up the digital transformation of their economies.

Japan is one of ASEAN's most important