Anwar gesa Asean pelbagai sumber bekalan makanan, ubatan

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Asean member countries to diversify food and medicine supplies, while strengthening inter-regional production capabilities to reduce dependency on uncertain global suppliers. Speaking at the plenary session of the 49th Asean Summit, Anwar emphasized the urgent need to enhance intra-regional trade for agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and livestock, as well as ensuring uninterrupted flow of essential supplies during crises.

He stressed that food and medicine security should be prioritized as basic necessities for the people, with Asean taking the first step by increasing production of essential inputs like fertilizer, seeds, and livestock, which currently rely heavily on external sources. Anwar also called for Asean countries to recognize mutual recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, combine purchasing power and stockpiles, and expand intra-regional production of food and agricultural inputs.

In the context of medicine, he stressed the importance of enhancing access to essential medicines and vaccines through mutual recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, joint procurement, and stockpiling, as well as building inter-regional capabilities for essential medicines and vaccines. Regarding energy, Anwar highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) as a strategic priority for the bloc, urging Asean to accelerate its development, as national power grids will no longer be able to operate independently by 2060 when energy demand is expected to increase fourfold.

He emphasized that enhancing the APG's capacity from individual weaknesses to collective strength can open up new cross-border energy opportunities, ensuring a secure and reliable energy future for Asean's people. In the realm of digital economy, Anwar welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Digital Work Programme (DEFA), which he believes can help double the digital economy of the region to USD2 trillion by 2030.

However, he cautioned that the development and governance of artificial intelligence should not be determined by the commercial interests of a few global technology companies. He urged Asean countries to strengthen joint technological capabilities, protect data sovereignty, and establish a governance framework that promotes accountability and transparency.

The summit, held from November 15-17 under the leadership of the Philippines, was themed "Navigating Our Future, Together."