ASEAN BAC PHILIPPINES CHAMPIONS AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN ASEAN

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) Philippines Chairman Joey Concepcion called for stronger regional collaboration in food and agriculture at the recent 46th ASEAN Summit held last May 26 to 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Together with council members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, the Philippine team pushed for food security and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) development to be on the regional business agenda, especially as the country prepares for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

Speaking before the 10 ASEAN Leaders (plus Timor-Leste) during their Annual Interface, Concepcion, who serves as 2025 ASEAN BAC co-Chairman, highlighted the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA).

"The ASEAN Food Security Alliance will serve as a platform for regional cooperation in agriculture and food systems," he said. "Through this alliance, we aim to combat poverty and enhance food resilience by harnessing the strengths of ASEAN's leading agriculture enterprises."