APEC leaders are encouraged to realize the APEC Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030 in an effort to ensure food security through innovative technology and digitalization, among other things.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo encouraged APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders to strengthen concrete cooperation in dealing with the crises of food, energy and environment, as well as the threat of recession.

"In the short term, collaboration is absolutely necessary to overcome inflation and ensure food security," President Widodo said when delivering his intervention at the 1st session of APEC leaders' meeting at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Friday.

The president pushed for the realization of the APEC Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030 to ensure food security through innovative technology and digitalization, increased productivity and efficiency of the food system, as well as inclusive and sustainable policies.

"The availability of fertilizer and fodder also needs attention to prevent a food crisis that affects more than three billion people," the head of state said.

In the long term, he encouraged the strengthening of the partnership of digital economy and green economy, because this field is important for an inclusive economic recovery.

"Since the pandemic, the economic benefits have been increasingly felt, starting from telemedicine, food delivery services, digital payments, to the involvement of MSMEs in the marketplace. We must build a friendly digital economy ecosystem for MSMEs and start-ups, especially through strengthening digital skills and literacy," the president added.

During the meeting, the president also pushed for a green economy for regional economic recovery, because this sector is the future of the region's economy and more than 90 billion US dollars has been used to build various green projects in APEC.

"Therefore, I welcome Thailand's initiative, The Bangkok Goals for the Bio-Circular-Green Economy. This initiative will open access to financing, technology, innovation, and capacity building," the president said.

The head of state emphasized that enhancing collaboration among the APEC members is the key to achieving all of those things.

Before starting the meeting session, when he arrived at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, the Indonesian president was greeted by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and continued with a group photo session.

On the same day, the president also had a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.

Reporting by Indonesia Window