Under a theme on comprehensive and sustainable growth, itbrought together stakeholders from different areas to discuss measures to builda greener ASEAN.
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Simon Tay,Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said globalconsumption is on the rise following the post-pandemic reopening, withpolicymakers, businesses and consumers increasingly aware of dangers posed bydeforestation and biodiversity loss.
Tay said ASEAN's horticulture sector will be at the forefront of the region'stransformation. Cross-border and multi-stakeholder cooperation is also neededto ensure that products from the region are considered green on a global scaleand that the global low-carbon transition is an equitable one for ASEAN, henoted.
The dialogues included discussions on sustainable trade and growth, livelihoodsand the role that the commodities sector plays in the net zero transition.Participants also delved into how ASEAN economies can leverage naturalresources and capital and work with their developed peers in supporting green transition./.