ASEAN leaders pledged in Hua Hin Sunday to embrace food security as a matter of permanent and high priority policy in an effort to deal with the high fluctuation of food prices coupled with the global financial crisis.

In a statement on the food security issued by ASEAN leaders, ASEAN leaders stressed the need of enhanced ASEAN cooperation as a means to ensure food security through sustainable food production, post-harvest, marketing and trade in the region.

ASEAN leaders adopted the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Food Security (SPA-FS) in the 14th ASEAN Summit here Sunday. Both are planned for a five-year period (2009-2013).

Dr. Surin Pituwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said earlier that the two ASEAN food security deals will ensure food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

In a news briefing, Surin said that if ASEAN can solve the long- term food security issue, the international community will have confidence in ASEAN and a sustainable development in the region will be achieved.

Surin stressed that food security has long been an important agenda of ASEAN. In response to the global financial crisis, ASEAN needs to take a strategic and comprehensive approach towards long- term food security in the region.

The AIFS Framework comprises four intertwined components, namely, Food Security and Emergency/Shortage Relief, Sustainable Food Trade Development, Integrated Food Security Information System, and Agricultural Innovation.

The SPA-FS identifies corresponding strategic thrusts to the four components, and maps out measures, actions and timelines to facilitate the implementation and coordination of the AIFS Framework.

The ASEAN ministers on agriculture and forestry in coordination with other relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the AIFS Framework and SPA-FS.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2009)