Phnom penh: H.E. Kittisethabindit Cheam Yeap, the First Vice-President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, has underscored the critical need for responsible investment to bolster food security and climate-resilient agriculture throughout Southeast Asia. By officially inaugurating the Parliamentary Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on 'Responsible Investment for Food and Climate Security: Advancing the ASEAN RAI Agenda' on August 25 at the National Assembly Palace, he aimed to highlight this pressing issue.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Cheam Yeap extended a warm welcome to parliamentarians from AIPA Member Parliaments, alongside representatives from relevant ministries, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders attending the dialogue. He alerted attendees to the pressing reality that climate change and food insecurity are not distant threats, but current challenges already impacting agricultural production and food systems across the region.
He described the situation as an "acute climate crisis" and called for substantial investment in climate-resilient agriculture, climate adaptation, water resource management, and smart early-warning systems to safeguard farmers and ensure consistent food supplies. He further highlighted the necessity of robust regional frameworks, underpinned by the ASEAN RAI Guidelines adopted in 2018, to promote investments that are economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable.
H.E. Cheam Yeap emphasized the constitutional responsibility of parliaments to translate the ASEAN RAI principles into enforceable national laws and policies, strengthening oversight on their implementation. He outlined four core parliamentary functions to advance this agenda: legislative review, government oversight, budget support for climate adaptation, and representation of smallholder farmers, Indigenous communities, women in agriculture, and rural youth.
Moreover, he advocated for close cooperation among parliaments, governments, the private sector, academia, research institutions, civil society, and local communities, recognizing the private sector's pivotal role in providing innovation, technology, and scalable investment. He also expressed hope for the establishment of a regional food stockpile to enhance ASEAN's response to the climate crisis and fortify regional food supply chains.
The dialogue aims to produce a comprehensive report featuring practical, people-centered recommendations on responsible investment for food and climate security. H.E. Cheam Yeap expressed optimism that these recommendations could enrich AIPA's messages during its interface dialogue with ASEAN leaders.