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Joint Statement on Deepening Agricultural Cooperation and Ensuring Food Security under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework

2022-07-06 10:29

At the Seventh Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Bagan, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on 4 July 2022, we, the Foreign Ministers of the six Mekong-Lancang countries, recalling the consensus on strengthening agricultural cooperation reached at the Third MLC Leaders’ Meeting and the Sixth MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, expressed support for further deepening Mekong-Lancang agricultural cooperation, and welcomed the following statement issued by the agricultural authorities of our six countries:

Agriculture is one of the priority areas of MLC. In recent years, the agricultural authorities of our six countries have worked to synergize national agricultural development strategies, implement the Five-Year Plan of Action on the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (2018-2022) and the Three-Year Plan of Action on Mekong-Lancang Agricultural Cooperation (2020-2022), carry out MLC Bumper Harvest projects, and deepen agricultural trade and investment cooperation, providing a strong underpinning for economic growth and social progress in our six countries and for the building of a community with a shared future of peace and prosperity among the Mekong-Lancang countries.

The combined impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate variability and extremes, and the international uncertainties have disrupted global food supply chains, pushed up prices of food and agricultural products and inputs, and posed increased stress on food security. Under such circumstances, agricultural cooperation has become even more significant. Based on the good foundation of MLC agricultural cooperation and commitments to the principles of consensus, equality, mutual consultation and coordination, voluntarism, common contribution and shared benefits, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will strengthen cooperation in the following aspects:

First, improve the agricultural cooperation mechanisms. The Agricultural Ministries of the six countries will efficiently run and gradually optimize the MLC Joint Working Group on Agriculture and fully leverage the role of the Mekong-Lancang Agriculture Cooperation Center in supporting agricultural exchanges and cooperation among our six countries. The Five-Year Plan of Action on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation in Agriculture (2023-2027) will be formulated to provide policy guidance for practical agricultural cooperation in the region.

Second, strengthen cooperation on food security. The Agricultural Ministries of the six countries will step up cooperation on food security to build a more sustainable agri-food system in this region by enhancing flood and drought mitigation and irrigated and climate smart agriculture, boosting sustainable aquaculture, boosting food productivity and promoting biotechnology, especially in agro-processing industry, reducing food loss and waste, strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting cold-chain logistics, and facilitating policy exchanges and information sharing, enhancing public-private partnership and fostering production network among member countries. Concerted efforts will be made to enhance cooperation on agro-product quality standard and inspection systems, promote standardized agricultural production, and promote brand building of premium Mekong-Lancang agro-products, to improve the competitiveness of agro-products from the region.

Third, enhance the quality and outcomes of the MLC Bumper Harvest projects. The Agricultural Ministries of the six countries will strengthen communication and coordination on agricultural projects supported by the LMC Special Fund and support joint planning, application, and implementation of agricultural projects under the Fund in key areas, including crops, livestock, aquaculture, animal disease prevention and control, agro-processing, rural development and other areas of mutual interest, to upgrade the supply chains of rural industries and improve the people’s well-being.

Fourth, advance business cooperation and trade. The Agricultural Ministries of the six countries will optimize the opportunities brought about by the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and inauguration of the China-Laos railway, among others, to improve agro-trade facilitation and the business environment, promote trade, investment, and business cooperation on agricultural products and inputs, in particular cross border agro-trade, and ensure the stable and smooth functioning of agricultural supply chains in the region, including China’s greater import of quality agricultural products from Mekong countries.

Fifth, conduct cooperation on agricultural science and technology and exchanges of professionals. Agricultural research institutes of MLC countries are encouraged to increase cooperation in the form of joint research, commercial application of research findings, and exchanges of professionals through such platforms as the Exchange and Cooperation Consortium for Agricultural Science and Technology in the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and innovation corridors, to enhance innovation and application and popularization of agricultural technology, and reduction of agricultural emissions in the region.

Sixth, expand platforms for dialogue and exchanges. The Agricultural Ministries of the six countries will hold thematic seminars and forums for agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs, young farmers, and other groups, organize business and trade promotion events in such specific areas as agricultural inputs and fruits, and vegetables, and gradually step up dialogue and collaboration with other international and regional organizations/mechanisms, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program. Such efforts aim to expand the channels and areas for policy exchanges and information sharing.

Agriculture is integral to national economies. We firmly believe that continued development of practical agricultural cooperation will greatly contribute to a safer, more resilient, and more prosperous Mekong-Lancang region and the people’s well-being.

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