Background
On March 5-6, 2026, the 14th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Council was held in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. The meeting was presided over by H.E. Dr. Sor Chitra, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Cambodia. It brought together representatives from the 11 APTERR member countries, including ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as officials from the APTERR Secretariat.
Scope of Application
The meeting addressed the operational coordination and management of the APTERR emergency rice reserve system aimed at ensuring regional food security through pre-positioning and timely response to emergencies caused by natural disasters or other crises in the ASEAN Plus Three region.
Key Provisions or Decisions
H.E. Dr. Sor Chitra emphasized the indispensable role of regional cooperation mechanisms under APTERR in maintaining food security. Cambodia highlighted its concrete achievements in efficiently facilitating and managing contributions under the Tier 3 program, including coordination of financial support from friendly countries such as China and Japan. For example, a total of 635 tons of rice was procured and reserved to assist vulnerable populations during emergencies.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The meeting underscores continuing multinational collaboration fuelled by strategic resource management, which indirectly supports agricultural markets and emergency preparedness. Stakeholders in agriculture, trade, and food security sectors should monitor APTERR developments as they reflect evolving regional risk mitigation and supply chain stabilization policies.
Official Source
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Facebook Post, March 5, 2026
