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

Background

Southeast Asia is facing growing demand for food, fisheries, and forestry products due to urbanization and rising incomes. Responsible investment in agriculture—which contributes 12% to regional GDP and employs over 100 million people—is therefore key to ensuring food security, safety, and nutrition in the region.   

To address these challenges, ASEAN member states adopted the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (ASEAN RAI) in 2018. These guidelines aim to promote responsible and sustainable investments in the region by, among other things, informing laws, policies, and processes that minimize negative outcomes and promote equitable and sustainable practices. 

About the Event

This joint event, organized by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, will include a dialogue between parliamentarians, policy-makers, and representatives from the private sector, civil society, and academia on implementing the ASEAN RAI. It will also consist of a workshop for parliamentarians from AIPA member parliaments to finalize a roadmap for parliamentary action to support the implementation of the ASEAN RAI.

The main goal of the 2-day event is to enhance the implementation of the ASEAN RAI by promoting a cooperative environment among key stakeholders and ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise contribute to more robust implementation strategies. 

Specific objectives include strengthening stakeholder understanding of each other’s roles in promoting responsible investment in the region, gathering insights on the implementation of the ASEAN RAI so far, and stimulating collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders for effective implementation and oversight of the guidelines. During the event, parliamentarians from AIPA member parliaments will finalize a Parliamentary Implementation Framework as a roadmap for AIPA member parliaments to support ASEAN RAI implementation.