Indonesia Encourages Food Security Cooperation Between ASEAN-Russia

Jakarta – During ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that Indonesia encourages strengthening cooperation in the field of food security between ASEAN and Russia.

The minister explained that Russia has been a dialog partner of ASEAN for more than 26 years. Five years ago the relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership. However, the current world situation has changed drastically.

"A paradigm of collaboration is needed to save the world. As a friend of Russia and Ukraine, Indonesia has never tired of calling for peace. Our partnership must realize this paradigm," she said at the meeting.

Minister Marsudi expressed hope that Russia could support the mainstreaming of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and ASEAN's cooperation with partners. In this case, there are two areas of cooperation that need to be encouraged.

First, cooperation in the field of food security. ASEAN plans to submit a Leaders' Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition to Respond to Crises at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September.

"Russia's support for this initiative is crucial given its status as a global producer of wheat and fertilizer," Minister said.

Second is ensuring a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia. ASEAN was established to maintain long-term peace and inclusive prosperity in the region. This is impossible to achieve without ensuring Southeast Asia remains a nuclear weapons-free region.

"Therefore, all nuclear weapon states should promote nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. To that end, I hope Russia can accede to the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol as soon as possible,"

As information, this year is the 5th year of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership. The meeting adopted the Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and Russia on the occasion of the 5th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, which among others agreed on inclusive cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.