Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar put emphasis on the need for a united Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost food security in the region during the Global Business Forum–ASEAN online meeting last Thursday, Dec. 9.

According to Dar, the current health crisis due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic only hampers international expansion and food security in many countries including the Philippines.

Dar said that while countries attempt to protect their own food security, others likewise implement trade restrictions and chokepoints in the global food supply.

These types of restrictions or guidelines only affect diplomatic ties and unified action on global food security matters, he stressed.

“Adding more reasons to worry are concerns on rising global population,” said the DA chief.

“Malleable demand landscape for food, and contentious climate change policies and environmental regulations related to food security.”

As such, Dar encouraged fellow officials to unite and cooperate aamong ASEAN member-nations in sustaining food security even as he noted that the best way to achieve this is by “recognizing the social and cultural connections constituting their organic links to each other.”

ASEAN member-countries should also take into consideration the economic sectors, migrant workers’ welfare and social protections, proactive engagement of embassies with transnational populations and entities, and other social factors that influence business and trade relationships among nations, Dar noted.