The 48th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) was held from October 29 to 31 in Singapore, with the host country acting as the chair.
The meeting reaffirmed the central role of food, agriculture, and forestry in ensuring food security, public health, livelihoods, trade, climate resilience, and the long-term prosperity of the region.
In her opening remarks on October 29, Ms. Grace Fu, Singaporean Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, explained that "We do so against a rapidly evolving global backdrop."
According to Ms. Fu, across the ASEAN region and beyond, advances in technology, changing consumer expectations and shifting market dynamics are transforming the food, agriculture and forestry sectors. At the same time, climate change, geopolitical developments, supply chain disruptions, and emerging pests and animal diseases underscore the need to strengthen the resilience of ASEAN food systems.
"Our challenges are interconnected and addressing them requires collective action," she emphasized.
Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fisheries cooperation in ASEAN
A key focus of the meeting was reviewing the performance of ASEAN sectoral working groups in 2026 and discussing cooperative action plans for 2026-2030.
In the livestock sector, Vietnam was tasked with reporting the outcomes of the 34th ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Livestock (ASWGL) meeting, held online on September 8, 2026. The topics to be presented for ministerial approval include revised ASEAN standards for animal vaccines, harmonized national standards for good livestock practices with ASEAN standards, and guidelines on medicated feed.
For fisheries, the meeting is set to review the ASEAN Fisheries Cooperation Action Plan for 2026-2030 and the mid-term evaluation report on the implementation of the Resolution and Action Plan for Sustainable Fisheries for Regional Food Security by 2030.
In forestry, delegates discussed initiatives such as planting one billion trees in ASEAN, promoting community forestry business development, and the ASEAN Forestry Cooperation Action Plan for 2026-2030.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed the ASEAN Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (ARASFF) Action Plan for 2026-2030, along with strategies to enhance warning effectiveness and coordination in ensuring regional food safety.
Delegates also prepared the agenda, reports, and draft joint press statement for the 48th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting (AMAF Plus Three).
During exchanges with partners, the meeting engaged with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), and the SEADRIF RAISE Initiative to explore potential areas of cooperation.
Vietnam proposes three priorities for 2026-2030
At the AMAF, Vietnam commended the report and recommendations of the Chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF); acknowledged the efforts of member countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, and specialized agencies in promoting cooperation in food, agriculture, and forestry.
Speaking at the AMAF meeting in Singapore on October 29, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dang Ngoc Diep emphasized food security, sustainable agriculture, and regional digital transformation.
The ASEAN Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Sector Plan for 2026-2030 provides a framework to realize the sector's vision by 2045. To effectively implement the plan, Vietnam emphasized three priorities.
First, enhancing regional food security and the resilience of agricultural supply chains.
Vietnam supports improving the effectiveness of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) mechanism, while strengthening coordination among existing mechanisms. Additionally, it proposed expanding information exchange on fertilizers, animal feed, and essential inputs. This serves as a basis for risk forecasting, proactive response, and maintaining production amid potential external impacts on supply chains.
Second, accelerating the transition to sustainable, low-emission agriculture resilient to climate change.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment welcomed the ASEAN Regenerative and Adaptive Agriculture Implementation Plan for 2026-2030 and the AMAF joint declaration on promoting regenerative and adaptive agriculture for a sustainable ASEAN, ensuring food security.
Mr. Diep affirmed that priority activities should include improving soil health, efficient water use, developing low-emission rice production, and utilizing agricultural by-products in a circular manner. Experience sharing, technology transfer, and capacity building should be linked to scalable models that bring tangible benefits to farmers.
In forestry, Vietnam supports the draft ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the One Billion Trees Initiative and its implementation plan, proposing enhanced cooperation on forest landscape restoration, sustainable forest management, wildfire prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
To achieve these priorities, ASEAN countries need to collaborate with development partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector to mobilize climate finance, concessional funding, and investment for sustainable agriculture and forestry. Resource mobilization should also facilitate access and benefits for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and local communities.
Third, promoting digital transformation, innovation, and linking agricultural value chains in the region.
Vietnam proposed strengthening cooperation in research, technology application, and digital transformation to enhance productivity, reduce production costs, ensure food safety, and improve competitiveness. Technology should be suitable for production conditions, accompanied by training, agricultural extension services, and the participation of cooperatives and enterprises to effectively support farmers.
Additionally, Vietnam suggested promoting traceability, electronic certification, and cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary measures based on science and international standards, contributing to facilitating regional agricultural trade.
Vietnam welcomed Singapore's proposal for a regional smallholder solutions center. Vietnam looks forward to further discussions on data-driven solutions and appropriate financial mechanisms, based on responsible data governance and meeting the practical needs of farmers.
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