Delegates at the AIPA–FAO–IISD Second Joint Event on Fostering Parliamentary Action and Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (© AIPA–FAO–IISD Documentatio

Bali, 25 July 2024 – The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), invited various stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (ASEAN RAI). This partnership, supported by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aims to address the challenges faced by Southeast Asian countries in ensuring food security through sustainable investment.

Building on the momentum from the adoption of the ASEAN RAI in 2018 and the success of the first event in the Lao People's Democratic Republic last April; FAO, AIPA, and IISD work to develop a sustainable framework for legislators. This framework encompasses parliamentary activities related to strengthening legislation, budgeting and financing, capacity building, advocacy, and monitoring. By emphasizing the importance of sustainable investment, the results are expected to become a crucial tool for advancing agricultural value chains and investment throughout ASEAN. 

“Aside from the huge demographic pressure to feed, we are facing daunting challenges caused by climate change, where it has already raised a more alarming situation with regards to the change of weather patterns and the rise of extreme weather patterns, environmental and water resources scarcity and more. If we are going to advance the food, agriculture, and forestry (FAF) sectors, there should be one umbrella law, an omnibus, to address all FAF matters comprehensively, including agricultural investment good governance,” said Dr. Fadli Zon, Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia and Chair of the Indonesian Farmers Association.

“Our initiatives are closely aligned with the AIPA Statutes and based on the resolutions adopted in consensus by AIPA Member Parliaments. One such significant resolution is the one adopted last year on Encouraging the Application of the ASEAN RAI. Today’s event builds on this foundation. ASEAN RAI is a strategic framework aimed at fostering sustainable and responsible investment practices across our region. The participation of parliamentarians is vital in bringing these guidelines to life. By inviting representatives from various sectors, including academia, private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities, we aim to strengthen our collective efforts and ensure comprehensive engagement from all stakeholders,” said Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of AIPA.

"Sustainable food systems are fundamental to the food security and livelihoods of the small farmers in ASEAN region, however, they are facing numerous dichotomies, including climate change, land degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. A fundamental vehicle to address these challenges is to increase investments in agriculture, specifically targeting the smallholder family farmers who produce nearly 80 percent of the food in the region. The parliamentarians play a critical role here, especially by enacting legislation, scrutinizing government actions, and allocating budgetary resources", said Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste and FAO liaison officer for ASEAN.

FAO Indonesia works to strengthen the collaborative environment to achieve sustainable development through technical assistance and knowledge exchange, as well as promoting policies that encourage responsible investment. Transforming the food, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors is the main focus to achieve a future with better production, environment, nutrition, and lives.