The first initiative is to build a roadmap to fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2020-2025.

The ASEAN Secretariat sent the initiative to the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) to collect feedback for supplements and revisions.

The ministry will coordinate with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASWGFi to make a draft roadmap, which is expected to be considered at the 27th ASWGFi meeting in Brunei in May before being submitted to the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting in Cambodia in October for approval.

The second initiative is to build the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in The ASEAN Region (SPA-FS) in 2021-2025.

The initiative was agreed by ASEAN countries which are members of the ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board (AFSRB).

The draft documents are hoped to be considered at the 40th AFSRB meeting in Vietnam in July before being submitted for approval at the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting.

In addition, the ministry suggested establishing a network developing one commune-one product model in the bloc, holding an international symposium on science and technology in disaster prevention and another on reducing disaster risks for vulnerable groups.

This year when Vietnam takes the ASEAN Chairmanship, the ministry will host a series of important events, including the 40th AFSRB meeting slated for July 6-7 in Hanoi./. VNA

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