Final

SUMMARY RECORD OF
THE TWENTY FIFTH MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE
ON ASEAN COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND FOREST PRODUCTS
PROMOTION SCHEME (25th JOINT COMMITTEE)

10-12 July 2018

Lombok, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

1. The Meeting was held in Lombok, Indonesia on 10-12 July 2018. The
Meeting was chaired by Indonesia and was attended by Cambodia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) was also
present to serve the Meeting. The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.

WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS

2. Mr. Mesah Tarigan, Director for International Cooperation Bureau,

Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, welcomed the ASEAN Member States
(AMS) in Lombok, Indonesia. The remarks highlighted the overall objective of
the 25th Joint Committee Meeting. While addressing the importance of the
Meeting as the venue to exchange progress of activities led by National Focal
Point Working Group (NFPWG) and Industry Clubs for the commodities which
have high market value, he also emphasized that the Meeting was expected
to gather the input and comments to proceed with the renewal of the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture
and Forest Products Promotion Scheme in period of 2020-2025, after the
termination of the MOU in 2019. Lastly, he wished the pleasant stay and
productive meeting in Lombok. The remarks appears as ANNEX 2.

3. Mr. Prak Thaveak Amida, Deputy Director General of Ministry of

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Agriculture, Forestry And Fisheries, Cambodia, on his capacity of the
Chairman of the 24th Joint Committee Meeting delivered his remarks. He
highlighted the achievement made during the Chairmanship of Cambodia for
Joint Committee, among others was the approval for AMAF Chair to sign the
Letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to express
ASEAN collective request calling for a science-based assessment of
submitted position papers of affected ASEAN Member States to justify the
retention of carrageenan in the US National List of Allowed Food
Ingredient/Substance in Organic Products. He raised the two (2) documents
developed by subsidiary body under Joint Committee, namely ASEAN GAP
for Cocoa Production and ATEL which was informed at the 24th Joint
Committee Meeting. He wished the 25th Joint Committee Meeting may provide
valuable input to the renewal of the MOU on ASEAN Cooperation in
Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Schemes. The remarks Appears
as ANNEX 3.

CLOSED SESSION

AGENDA ITEM 1: ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN

4. In accordance with ASEAN protocol, Mr. Mesah Tarigan was

unanimously elected as Chairperson of the 25th Joint Committee Meeting.
Due to the absence of Lao PDR, Mr. Pubadi Govindasamy, Deputy
Undersecretary, Ministry of Primary Industries, Malaysia was elected as the
Vice-Chairperson of the Meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 2: ADOPTION OF AGENDA

5. The Meeting adopted the Agenda, which appears as ANNEX 4.

AGENDA ITEM 3: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT

6. The Meeting was held in plenary.

AGENDA ITEM 4: PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY

FRAMEWORK RELATED TO ASEAN COOPERATION
IN AGRICULTURE AND FOREST PRODUCT
PROMOTION SCHEME

4.1 Matters Arising from the Special SOM-38th AMAF, 39th AMAF;
and ASEAN Summits

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7. The Meeting noted the ASEAN Secretariat’s information paper on the
Matters Arising from the Meetings of the SSOM-38th AMAF, SOM-39th AMAF,
39th AMAF Meeting and ASEAN Summits, appears as ANNEX 5.

4.2 ASEAN Community Vision 2025

8. The Meeting noted on the ASEAN Secretariat’s information paper on

ASEAN Community 2025. The paper appears as ANNEX 6.

4.3 Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) under Memorandum of

Understanding on ASEAN Co-operation in Agriculture and
Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2015-2019)

9. The Meeting updated on the Strategic Plan of Action from the

commodities under the MOU of ASEAN Co-operation in Agriculture and
Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2015-2019), appears as ANNEX 7.

4.4 MOU on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest

Products Promotion Scheme

10. The Meeting was updated by ASEC that the MOU on ASEAN
Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme was
signed in 2014 and will be terminated on 24 September 2019. In anticipating
the termination of the MOU in 2019, the Meeting discussed and provided
guidance to the way forward of MOU towards strengthening the cooperation in
Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. Information paper
appears as ANNEX 8.

11. The Meeting agreed in-principle on the renewal of the MOU on ASEAN
Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme, and
provide comments on the following:
· Lead Country to conduct internal consultation to review on the
achievement of the NFPWG and Industry Clubs and determine whether
the activities listed on the SPA of Commodities are relevant to promote
the provision on the MOU.
· Participation of AMS to the meetings of NFPWG and Industry Clubs.
· Monitoring of the Plan of Action of each Commodity.
· The Meeting suggested that activities undertaken by AMS should be
indicated in SPA of all Commodities.

12. The Meeting requested the Lead Country to conduct necessary review
on the list of the Commodities covered on the MOU. The ASEAN Secretariat

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was requested to proceed with the necessary arrangement for the renewal of
the MOU.

13. The Meeting was informed that the draft renewal of the MOU on
ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme is
expected to be finalized and endorsed at the 26th Joint Committee Meeting in
2019, then be signed by the AMAF Leaders, subsequently after receiving
endorsement by SSOM-AMAF.

Action line: Lead Countries and ASEC

14. The Meeting suggested seeking further guidance from SSOM-39th

AMAF regarding the status of the NFPWG and/or Industry Clubs which
remains inactive since the signing of the MOU.

15. The Meeting noted the information from Malaysia that on the new
MOU, the commodity that will be listed is Cocoa. While for Palm Oil, and
Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products, Malaysia proposed to relinquish the
position as the Lead Country.

AGENDA ITEM 5: STATUS REPORTS OF THE PRODUCTS BY THE LEAD

COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE EMERGING ISSUES
IDENTIFIED BY THE INDUSTRY CLUBS

5.1 Seaweed and Seaweed-based Products

16. The Meeting noted on the report of the 10th ASEAN Seaweed Industry
Club (ASIC) Meeting, held on 3-5 July 2018 in Palawan, Philippines, appears
as ANNEX 9.

17. The meeting was informed of the announcement and decision of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rendered 30 March 2018 on
the retention of the Carrageenan in the National List of Allowed Substances
in the National Organic Standard Board (NOSB). However, as the
Carrageenan is reviewed every five years, the new sunset date is on May 29,
2023. Thus, AMS were cautioned to maintain the “organic integrity” of
Carrageenan.

18. It was also reported that during the 10th ASIC Meeting in Palawan,
Philippines on July 3-5, 2018, the Meeting finally agreed on AMS’ objection to
the proposal of the Marine Stewardship Council-Aquaculture Stewardship
Council (MSC-ASC) to set a global standard on seaweed producing countries
particularly the AMS. The resolution was unanimously agreed also, that the
AMS is not amenable nor agrees to the proposal of AMS-ASC, a third party

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certification body from European Union (EU) to comply or adhere to their
proposal.

19. Finally, it was agreed that each AMS shall develop its own government
lead standard and implement the long term sustainability approach which is
the Harmonized ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) Standard for
Seaweed farming.

Action line: AMS and Philippines

5.2 Cocoa

20. The Meeting noted on the report of the 21st ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC)
Meeting held on 25-26 April 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, appears as
ANNEX 10.

21. The Meeting was informed that the 21st ACC Meeting endorsed the
ASEAN GAP for Cocoa Production. The Meeting endorsed the ASEAN GAP
for Cocoa Production, and agreed to submit to SSOM-39th AMAF for further
adoption. The said document appears as ANNEX 11.

Action line: ASEC and Malaysia

5.3 Coconut

22. The Meeting noted on the information shared by Philippines as the

Lead Country for Coconut, highlighting the joint promotion activities, human
resources development, and technology development, appears as ANNEX
12.

23. The Meeting was informed that the detail of activities is reflected in the
SPA on Coconut which appears as ANNEX 13.

Action line: Philippines

5.4 Coffee

24. The Meeting noted on the report of the 13th NFPWG on Coffee Meeting
held on 3 October 2017 in Bandung, Indonesia, appears as ANNEX 14,
highlighting the Country Reports on coffee production and formulation of new
SPA on Coffee 2017-2020.

25. The Meeting noted that the implementation of GAP on Coffee is

included on the new SPA on Coffee 2017-2020.

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 Action line: Viet Nam

5.5 Forest Products (Timber and Non-Timber)

26. The Meeting noted on information from Malaysia on progress of

activities under ASEAN Forest Products Industry Club (AFPIC), including the
follow-up after the 24th Joint Committee Meeting regarding the continuation of
Malaysia as Lead Country of Forest Products (Timber and Non-Timber),
appears as ANNEX 15.

27. The Meeting noted that as the follow-up from the 24th Joint Committee
Meeting, Malaysia agreed to continue as the Lead Country on Forest
Products (Timber and Non-Timber) until the MOU expires in 2019. However,
due to the lack of commitment from AFPIC members, Malaysia requested to
relinquish as the Lead Country after the expiry of the MOU 2014-2019.

28. The Meeting noted that in 2018, European Forest Institute (EFI) has
indicated their interest to organize a Workshop on draft Regional Voluntary
Code of Conduct on Imports for Forest & Timber Companies in ASEAN with
the collaboration of Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB). The Concept
Note would be consulted with AWG-FPD held on 9-10 July 2018. The
invitation will be distributed by AFPIC Secretariat through AFPIC Focal Points.

Action line: Malaysia

5.6 Palm Oil

29. The Meeting noted on information from Malaysia on progress of

activities under ASEAN Vegetable Oils Club (AVOC), appears as ANNEX 16.

30. The Meeting noted the AVOC Board of Directors Meeting was held on
30 June 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting discussed on the
consideration and deliberation of the Strategic Plan of Action for AVOC (2017
– 2019) and the concept of Sustainable Production of Vegetable Oils in
ASEAN. The Meeting also discussed to revive AVOC plan of activities in the
interest of the member countries, and to justify and resume the collection of
annual subscriptions until the expiration of MOU in 2019.

Action line: Malaysia

5.7 Peas and Beans

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31. Since Myanmar was absent from the Meeting, ASEC was requested to
coordinate with Myanmar to obtain the relevant update from NFPWG Peas
and Beans.

Action line: ASEC and Myanmar

5.8 Pepper

32. The Meeting noted on the report of the 7th NFPWG Meeting on Pepper,
held on 26-27 June 2018 in Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia, highlighting the
discussion of the new SPA on Pepper 2018-2020 in particular the declining
trend of world of pepper price, exchange of information, technology
dissemination, and promotion activities to increase domestic consumption.
The 7th NFPWG on Pepper agreed to propose the new timeline for SPA on
Pepper is 2020-2025 subject to the extension of the MOU.

33. The report appears as ANNEX 17.

Action line: Indonesia

5.9 Tapioca

34. The Meeting noted on the report of the 4th NFPWG Meeting on Tapioca
held on 2-3 May 2018 in Udon Thani, Thailand, appears as ANNEX 18,
highlighting the current situation on production and trade, and the
implementation of activities under the SPA on Tapioca.

35. The Meeting noted that some AMS expressed difficulties to perform
activities under the SPA considering the limitation they have that the cassava
is not listed as priority given crop.

36. In relation to the hosting of the 5th NFPWG Meeting on Tapioca in

2019, Viet Nam was requested to be the next host. In addition, Thailand also
organized the World Tapioca Conference 2018 (27-28 June 2018) to be the
central stage for producers, traders, buyers and academics to promote
tapioca production and trade.

Action line: Thailand and Viet Nam

5.10 Tea

37. The Meeting noted on the report of the 12th NFPWG Meeting on Tea
which was held in Bandung, Indonesia, on 4 October 2017. The Meeting
highlighted several activities such as domestic promotion, exchange of
information, technology dissemination including the possibility of exchange of
plant material with high yield, and climate change mitigation strategy.

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38. The report appears as ANNEX 19.

Action line: Indonesia

5.11 Tuna

39. The meeting noted on information from Indonesia on progress of

activities under ASEAN Tuna Working Group including the finalization of
ASEAN Tuna Eco-Labelling (ATEL): Policy Paper on the Establishment of
ASEAN Regional Eco-Labelling Scheme, accommodating the input from
PrepSOM-39th AMAF Meeting. The presentation appears as ANNEX 20.

40. The Meeting was informed that the Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Fisheries (MMAF) of the Republic of Indonesia in partnership with the USAID
Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID OCEANS) and the Southeast
Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) organized the Catch
Documentation and Traceability Learning Exchange and Consultative
Workshop on ASEAN Tuna Eco-Labelling (ATEL) on 25-26 June 2018, in
Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The discussion appears as ANNEX 21.

41. The Meeting endorsed the ATEL and agreed to submit to SSOM-39th
AMAF for adoption, appears as ANNEX 22.

Action line: ASEC, Indonesia

5.12. Sericulture

42. The Meeting noted on the report of the 1st Meeting of the NFPWG on
Sericulture which was held on 7-8 September 2017 in Ubon Ratchathani,
Thailand, appears as ANNEX 23.

43. The 1st Meeting of the NFPWG on Sericulture highlighted sericulture

production and activities for enhancing further cooperation, potential funding
resources. The Meeting agreed to establish the ASEAN Sericulture website,
originate the ASEAN Sericulture Roadmap, and update on Sericulture
National Focal Point.

44. The Meeting noted that the 2nd Meeting will be hosted by Indonesia.

Action line: Thailand, Indonesia

AGENDA ITEM 6: OTHER MATTERS

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45. The Meeting requested ASEC to furnish the schedule of ASEAN
Meetings under SOM-AMAF, for the advance preparation of NFPWGs and
Industry Clubs to host their meetings which possibly be held back-to-back with
ASWG meetings.

AGENDA ITEM 7: DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING

46. As Lao PDR did not participate at the 25th Joint Committee Meeting,
the ASEAN Secretariat was requested to confirm with Lao PDR regarding the
hosting of the 26th Joint Committee Meeting in 2019. In accordance with the
ASEAN protocol, in the event that Lao PDR is unable to host the 26th Meeting,
ASEAN Secretariat was tasked to communicate with Malaysia, if Malaysia can
host the Meeting.

Action Line: ASEC, Lao PDR, Malaysia

AGENDA ITEM 7: ISSUES TO BE FOLLOWED UP

47. Issues arising from the 25th Joint Committee Meeting that need to be
followed up at the 26th Joint Committee Meeting are:

No Key Decisions/Issues Timeline Follow-up By

1. Submission of the final draft 1 month before ASEC and Malaysia
of ASEAN GAP for Cocoa SSOM-39th
Production at SSOM-39th AMAF in 2018
AMAF

2. Submission of the final draft 1 month before ASEC and

of ATEL at SSOM-39th SSOM-39th Indonesia
AMAF AMAF in 2018

3. Development of Draft MOU After 40th AMAF ASEC, AMS

on ASEAN Cooperation in in 2018.
Agriculture and Forest
Products Promotion Scheme
2020-2025.

AGENDA ITEM 8: ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

48. The Meeting adopted the report of the 25th Meeting of the Joint
Committee on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products
Promotion Scheme held from 10 – 12 July 2018, Lombok, Indonesia.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

49. The delegates from Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and

Viet Nam expressed their sincere thanks to the Government of Indonesia for
the warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made
for the Meeting. The delegates also extend their sincere thanks to the ASEAN
Secretariat for the kind assistance during the Meeting.

50. The meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality.

Lombok, Indonesia, 11 July 2018

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