II. CONFERENCE PROGRAM 2.1 Inaugural Session
2.4 Ministerial Session
104. The Ministerial Meeting for the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Towards 2020 “Fish for the People 2020: Adaptation to a Changing Environment” was held in Bangkok on 17 June 2011 under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Theera Wongsamut, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. The Ministerial Meeting of the Conference was also organized by the ASEAN Secretariat and hosted by the Government of Thailand through the Department of Fisheries of Thailand in collaboration with SEAFDEC. The Opening Ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting was presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Trairong Suwankiri, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva. Summary Record of the Ministerial Meeting appears as Annex 37; while the List of Participants of the Ministerial Meeting appears as Annex 38.
105. While welcoming the Distinguished Ministers and Delegates from the SEAFDEC-ASEAN countries, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Theera Wongsamut recalled that about ten years ago, the Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region was adopted in November 2001. Since then such instruments had been used by the ASEAN countries as policy framework and guiding principles in the development of our respective fisheries. In spite of such efforts however, emerging issues have become great global concerns. He therefore advocated the need to strengthen collaboration among the ASEAN countries in order to shape the regional direction for revitalizing the promotion of sustainable fisheries for food security in the ASEAN region. He added that such cooperation could be demonstrated through the governments’ unified effort of considering the new decade Resolution and Plan of Action, which could strengthen the countries’ performance in the sustainable development of their respective fisheries sector. His Welcome Remarks appears as Annex 39.
106. In his Opening Remarks (Annex 40), the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Trairong Suwankiri called on the ASEAN Ministers and Senior Officials at the Ministerial Session to ensure that the new policy framework would guide the ASEAN countries in implementing priorities for achieving sustainable fisheries in line with the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework adopted by the ASEAN Leaders during the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009. Considering also that in the succeeding 15th Summit the ASEAN Leaders supported the establishment of a fully integrated ASEAN Community by 2015 characterized by Community of Action, Community of Connectivity, and Community of Peoples, he expressed the hope that the adoption by the Ministers of the revitalized Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for
Proceedings of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference “Fish for the People 2020: Adaptation to a Changing Environment”
34
the ASEAN Region Towards 2020, and the subsequent implementation of such instruments by the countries in the region would demonstrate the clear evidence that the countries also embrace the principles agreed upon by the ASEAN Leaders which are envisioned towards the realization of an integrated the ASEAN Community.
After thanking the Ministers, Senior Officials and their Delegations for lending their time and support to the very significant forum of the ASEAN region, he declared the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference open.
107. While recognizing the importance of the fisheries sector in the ASEAN region and the role it plays in building the ASEAN Community, and having considered the conclusions and technical recommendations developed through a series of national and regional preparatory processes for the Conference, public-private sector dialogues, Technical Session of the Conference, and Senior Officials Meetings, the Ministers adopted the “Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020” (Annex 41) on 17 June 2011. The Resolution will be implemented through individual and collective efforts among ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member States, in order to promote sustainable fisheries for food security in the region.
The Ministers also welcomed the endorsement of the Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020 during the Senior Officials Meeting on 16 June 2011 that will support of the implementation of the Resolution. The Plan of Action will serve as a framework for formulating and implementing programs, projects and activities through appropriate mechanisms at both the national and regional levels, including increased regional cooperation through the ASEAN-SEAFDEC mechanism.
108. The Chairman of the Ministerial Session then welcomed and sought the support from the ASEAN- SEAFDEC countries in the promotion of the Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020. In response, the Ministers and Senior Officials provided their expressions of support for the promotion of sustainable fisheries for food security in the ASEAN region.
109. The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Pehin Dató Yahya thanked the organizers of the Conference especially the host country, the Government of Thailand. He mentioned the progress made by Brunei Darussalam with respect to the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture.
While recognizing the need to give more attention to inland fisheries development for food security of the rural people in the ASEAN region, he supported the proposal of Indonesia to establish a regional center for inland fisheries development. He expressed the intention of Brunei Darussalam in collaborating and cooperating with neighboring countries as well as with regional and international organizations for the development of sustainable fisheries for food security. His Statement appears as Annex 42.
110. The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Fadel Muhammad while expressing his appreciation to all who had been involved in the preparatory processes of the Conference, acknowledged that the issues addressed in the Resolution and Plan of Action are crucial for the sustainable development of fisheries in the region. He acknowledged the efforts of the countries to combat IUU fishing in the region as spelled out in the Resolution and Plan of Action. While stressing that inland fisheries play a very significant role in attaining food security of the region, he suggested that a regional center for inland fisheries development could be established in Indonesia as part of the SEAFDEC organization. His Statement appears as Annex 43.
111. On behalf of the Government of Japan, H.E. Mr. Seiji Kojima, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, expressed the gratitude of his country for the generous support and kind expression of solidarity extended by the ASEAN Member Countries in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011. He reiterated that as expressed by the Prime Minister of Japan during the G8 Summit in May 2011, the country is determined to overcome the challenges including the impacts of the nuclear accident. He also expressed his country’s appreciation to the efforts of the ASEAN Member Countries in promoting sustainable development of fisheries in the region and ensured the ASEAN countries of the continued support of Japan to such efforts. His Statement appears as Annex 44.
112. The Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR, H.E. Dr. Ty Phommasack while recognizing the Conference as an important step towards promoting awareness on sustainable fisheries to enhance participation and solidarity among the ASEAN Member Countries, cited that his country has been actively participating in the implementation of several projects in the areas of utilization of water resources. He also mentioned that his country has promoted related initiatives in land-locked Lao PDR, especially in harmonizing international and regional efforts. His Statement appears as Annex 45.
113. The Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry of Malaysia, H.E. Noh Bin Omar recognized the timely adoption of the Resolution and Plan of Action considering the global challenges in fisheries brought
about by the changing environment and emerging issues in fisheries. He also expressed his country’s support to the effective implementation of the Resolution and Plan of Action with renewed commitment of sharing the responsibility of the implementation of such instruments. He encouraged SEAFDEC and the ASEAN to enhance their collaboration in devising the appropriate mechanism for the speedy implementation of the Resolution and Plan of Action. His Statement appears as Annex 46.
114. The Deputy Minister of Livestock and Fisheries of Myanmar, H.E. Mr. Khin Maung Aye thanked Thailand for hosting the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference and acknowledged the initiatives of the ASEAN and SEAFDEC for the timely organization of the Conference. From the common issues that could impact on the sustainable development of fisheries in the ASEAN region, he stressed that the most important issue which his country considers with much urgency is the issue relating to Disaster Risk Reduction. This is considering the fact that the changing climatic conditions bring about vivid impacts on the small-scale coastal fisheries sub- sector which is the majority in the ASEAN region. He cited a case after the 2008 Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar where many small-scale fishers lost their fishing boats devastating their whole livelihoods. In this regard, he suggested that there is a need to enhance the capability of the fishers through the conduct of training programs on safety at sea as well as promote the use of identification (ID) system for the fishers from the ASEAN countries. With that note, he expressed the willingness of his country to work hand-in-hand with the other ASEAN countries for the realization of the objectives put forth in the Resolution and Plan of Action. His Statement appears as Annex 47.
115. On behalf of the Government of the Philippines, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Republic of Philippines to the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. Ms. Linglingay F. Lacanlale thanked SEAFDEC and the ASEAN for co-organizing the Conference, and the other organizations that have been involved in the preparation of this Conference for making this Conference a successful one. While expressing support for the adoption of the Resolution and Plan of Action, she acknowledged that such instruments could address the current and emerging challenges faced by the fisheries sector in this decade. She stated that the Philippine Government in its policy on fisheries is committed to give full attention in the continuing decline of its fisheries production which is attributed to resources destruction brought about by over-fishing and destructive fishing methods, as well as pursue sound aquaculture and marine capture practices in response to the provisions spelled out in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. She added that the Philippine Government also notes the importance of protecting important common migratory fisheries and marine resources such as tuna, skipjack, marine turtles, and whales. She suggested that this is one area where regional collaboration could be further strengthened, and in this regard, the Philippine Government welcomes the proposal of Indonesia to host the Conference on the IUU Fishing at the end of 2011 for the sustainable utilization of country’s marine resources.
Her Statement appears as Annex 48.
116. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development of Singapore H.E. Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman commended SEAFDEC and the ASEAN for taking proactive steps to organize the Conference.
While recognizing the need to promote the sustainability of fisheries in the ASEAN region, he expressed his country’s continued support in the area of aquaculture development and fisheries post-harvest technology as means of enhancing the contribution of fisheries to food security in the ASEAN region. His Statement appears as Annex 49.
117. The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand H.E. Mr. Theera Wongsamut expressed the appreciation of the Government of Thailand to the other ASEAN countries for their cooperation in providing inputs that went into the preparation of the Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security Towards 2020. He also acknowledged the significant role that these instruments could play for the development of sustainable fisheries for food security and food supply of the people in the region. His Statement appears as Annex 50.
118. Deputy Director-General of Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, H.E. Dr. Chu Tien Vinh thanked the organizers of the Conference and especially the host country Thailand. He recognized the urgent need to develop fisheries sustainably under the context of changing environment and promote cooperation among the countries in the region to ensure that fisheries development will continuously contribute to the improvement of socio-benefits, food security, economic environment, and livelihoods of the communities in the region. On the part of Vietnam, the country has strongly paid attention to the sustainability of its marine resource by conducting various national programs and activities for this purpose. Considering that sustainable development is a multi-targeted matter, he called for the strong cooperation and unified support among the countries in the ASEAN region especially in addressing emerging issues and in developing a collaborative mechanism in transferring and sharing of information. His Statement appears as Annex 51.
Proceedings of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference “Fish for the People 2020: Adaptation to a Changing Environment”
36
119. The ASEAN-SEAFDEC Ministers and Representatives at the Ministerial Meeting expressed their commitment of support to the implementation of the Resolution and Plan of Action in the ASEAN region. The ASEAN-SEAFDEC Ministers then adopted the Joint Statement, which appears as Annex 52.
120. Representatives from FAO, Private Sector, and Civil Society Organization also expressed their statement of support and cooperation for the sustainable development of fisheries in the ASEAN region. The Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma congratulated the ASEAN Ministers for adopting the Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region towards 2020, and for recognizing the role of SEAFDEC as a regional advisory and capacity building body in the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Southeast Asia. FAO commended the efforts of SEAFDEC and the ASEAN in cooperating closely to meet the challenges faced by fishery and aquaculture sectors of the region. While FAO works closely with regional bodies and economic cooperation arrangements in the ASEAN region, it welcomes the commitment of the ASEAN Member Countries to the promotion of the newly adopted Resolution and Plan of Action as their guide towards the sustainable development of fisheries in their respective fisheries sector. He reiterated that the significant challenges to sustaining the supply of fish and fishery products from the ASEAN region could be addressed through the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. While welcoming the adoption of the “Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020” and on behalf of FAO, he offered the continued cooperation of FAO to both the ASEAN and SEAFDEC to facilitate the implementation of the Resolution and Plan of Action, and to assist in mobilizing the resources needed, particularly those that concern the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. His Statement appears as Annex 53.
121. The Vice President of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung in his capacity as the Chairman of ASEAN Seafood Federation (ASF), explained that the ASF was established by joining the leading national seafood producers and exporters’ associations of the ASEAN countries with the objectives of improving cooperation among regional seafood processors and exporters especially in exchanging views on matters of mutual interest and giving its members access to improved technologies, food safety assurance systems, environmental and social responsibility, and marketing. While acknowledging the key issues and challenges posed to the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the ASF also recognized the need for all seafood associations in the seafood sector to work together to step-by-step ensuring sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the ASEAN region. His Statement appears as Annex 54.
122. The Executive Director of Tambuyog Development, Mr. Arsenio Tanchuling in his capacity as the Coordinator of SEAFish for Justice, considers it ironic to perceive that despite the huge contribution and value of fisheries in the region, about 17 million small-scale fishers with more than a hundred million dependents still live in poverty and confronted with an even worsening social, environmental and economic conditions. He put forth common issues and offered solutions to address such issues. The issues include trade liberalization of fishery products resulting in overfishing and degradation of fishery resources; massive and uncontrolled expansion of aquaculture causing negative environmental and social impacts in coastal communities; increased warming of sea surface temperature and more extreme weather events greatly damaging the coastal ecosystems and displacement of fishing communities; mega-infrastructure projects in coastal waters affecting small fishers and their families’ livelihood and income, and denying them access to fishing areas; Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, in both national fishing territories and borders in the shared water bodies contributing to further depletion of fishery resources; unclear territorial boundaries and the overlapping territorial claims among ASEAN Member Countries leading to unjustified arrests of small-scale fishers; and the alarming situation of trafficking of persons forcing many workers work illegally in fishing boats. He therefore expressed the hope that the ASEAN and SEAFDEC would seriously consider the proposed means of addressing such issues to be incorporated as part of the regional Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region Towards 2020. His Statement appears as Annex 55.
123. On behalf of the co-organizers of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference, the Secretary-General of SEAFDEC, Dr. Chumnarn Pongsri thanked the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Ministers and Senior Officials for their confidence in SEAFDEC in playing the leading role in promoting the sustainable development of fisheries for food security in the ASEAN region. Nevertheless, in spite of utmost efforts placed in the fisheries sector, it remained a rather small sector compared with other food production and development sectors, which is due to the characteristics of fisheries in the region as multi-species, and undertaken mostly by small-scale fishers.
Considering the significant contribution of fisheries to food security, he encouraged the policy makers to
recognize the importance of fisheries and provide the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of the sector. He added that while the Resolution and Plan of Action provide policy and direction in channeling the future undertakings of fisheries development in the region, human resources development should be considered a priority area as this could ensure the availability of capable and knowledgeable people providing insights in optimizing the utilization of fishery resources, maximizing the benefits for all stakeholders, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries of our region. Moreover, he indicated that many of these aspects could be undertaken by SEAFDEC, only if the Member Countries sustain their commitment of support and clear guidance as well as their expression of ownership to enable SEAFDEC to sail towards the direction of sustainability. His Statement appears as Annex 56.