A Harvest of Plenty: Safe, Nourishing Food for All

Food is fundamental for survival, but the public often overlooks food safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) define food safety as ensuring food is free from hazards that could harm consumers by employing science-based discipline to maintain food quality, prevent contamination, and protect public health.

Establishing the ASEAN Risk Assessment Centre (ARAC) based in Malaysia in 2014 is one of the most essential milestones in applying an integrated risk assessment mechanism in the region. ARAC is the regional coordinating centre for independent food safety risk assessment to protect and enhance people’s health in the ASEAN Community and facilitate its food trade.

When ASEAN reached 50 years of existence in 2017, the ASEAN Leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the health and well-being of ASEAN’s people in pursuing its growth, prosperity, and sustainability. It called for urgent, accelerated multisectoral and multistakeholder actions to end malnutrition.

The ASEAN region, while agriculturally abundant, confronts a precarious balance regarding food security. As a major contributor to global food production, the region plays a vital role in improving the availability of food. Despite its agricultural strength, however, millions across ASEAN still face food insecurity, driven by climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and rising food prices. With such recognition, ASEAN’s approach over the past decades has been multifaceted, focusing on regional co

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing presents a significant threat to marine ecosystems and fisheries resources in the ASEAN region. As a major global fish producer, ASEAN faces critical challenges in combating IUU fishing due to its extensive maritime boundaries, varying national regulations, and disparities in technological capabilities. This article highlights the significance of the fisheries sector to the region’s economies and outlines the impact of IUU fishing on marine reso

Thailand’s exceptional gastronomy has long been celebrated, attracting visitors worldwide for its unique recipes and bold flavours. From the bustling streets of Yaowarat to the emerging food haven of Banthat Thong, foreign tourists and locals flock to savour the diverse culinary offerings from hundreds of street vendors.

After a massive earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March 2025, ASEAN Member States immediately extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to those affected by the deadly quake. The 7.7 magnitude tremor caused significant losses of life, injuries, and damage, particularly in the areas near the epicentre of Mandalay, Myanmar—Sagaing, Magway, Shan State, Naypyidaw, and Bago. Due to the scale of the disaster, the Myanmar authorities called for international support and assistance. T

KUCHING, Sarawak, Malaysia, 24 April 2025 – The 33rd Meeting of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council successfully concluded today. “As the ASCC Blueprint 2025 draws near to its conclusion, the ASCC has taken proactive steps in future-proofing its post-2025 future with the ASCC Strategic Plan, which presents a holistic strategy and measures anchored on sectoral priorities and people’s aspirations.” Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered this optimistic message at the op

Coastal cities in ASEAN are among the most densely populated and economically significant areas, with approximately 77 per cent of the total population residing in these regions. These cities contribute significantly to national economies, accounting for over 60 per cent of GDP in some countries. However, their geographical placement along coastlines exposes them to various natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. The delicate balance between human development and natural environmental s

Climate action, particularly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has become a key objective of an increasing number of official development assistance (ODA) projects. International financial institutions, bilateral aid organisations, and multilateral development banks are directing significant resources toward initiatives aligned with the Paris Agreement. These organisations have funded a broad spectrum of activities, from expanding renewable energy infrastructure to capacity-building progr

On 6 February 2025, the Mission of India to ASEAN and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia hosted a seminar titled “Commemorating a Decade of India’s Act East Policy: Reflections and the Way Forward for ASEAN-India Relations.”

At the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, ASEAN presents a pavilion themed “Building Bridges”—a reflection of the region’s commitment to connection, cooperation, and shared progress. Framed within the broader Expo theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the pavilion will run from 13 April to 13 October 2025.

Ms. Zailina Abdul Majid heads the Task Force on the Development of ASEAN Food Safety Regulatory Framework (TF AFSRF), comprising ASEAN officials in the health, agriculture, and trade sectors. The task force will recommend measures to harmonise food safety requirements in the region. Its work will conclude upon the ratification of the AFSRF by all ASEAN Member States, paving the way for the formation of the ASEAN Food Safety Coordinating Committee. This Committee will then take the lead in overse

Dr. Taruna Ikrar chairs the ASEAN Health Sector Cluster 4, which focuses on ensuring food safety. He outlines the sector’s priorities and regional mechanisms, including the ASEAN Food Safety Emergency Response. His discussion covers the region’s most pressing food safety hazards, the challenges involved in educating both the public and businesses, and the promising role of emerging technologies in enhancing risk detection and promoting safer food practices.

“The agritech sector across ASEAN has seen both remarkable successes and sobering failures.” Thirty-five-year-old Aukrit Unahalekhaka shares this candid view with The ASEAN during our conversation. The co-founder and CEO of Ricult, an agricultural technology startup, has worked in the field since 2016. He launched the company alongside Usman Javaid, a fellow master’s student from Pakistan at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He shares the same mission: to help farmers in their home coun

Ros Rotanak or Chef Nak describes Cambodian food as incredibly diverse and naturally healthy. “Cambodian dishes are well-balanced, incorporating salty, sweet, sour, and umami flavours in perfect harmony. Our ingredients are typically fresh and locally sourced, often found in villages, growing along fences, or in home gardens.”

Chef Noi grew up around a kitchen, foraging and fishing with her father and learning to prepare food with her grandmother. These shaped her perspective on food and taught her responsibility, resilience, hard work, and frugality. Chef Noi owns a restaurant, Doi Ka Noi, which specialises in traditional Lao cuisine. It has recently earned a spot among Asia’s 100 Best Restaurants, debuting at number 86, making it the first Lao restaurant to achieve this feat.

Adobo, sinigang, and ube desserts are some Filipino dishes gaining global recognition—largely thanks to a growing number of high-profile Filipino restaurants and chefs, diaspora communities, viral vlogs and social media posts, and praise from renowned chefs and food critics. Some have even declared Filipino food the next big thing in the culinary world.

Lakoat.Kujawas (Timorese for loquat and guava) in the Mollo highlands of Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, is a thriving community-led initiative that archives local knowledge and creates spaces for people to gather, celebrate, learn, and preserve their cultural heritage. Since it began in 2016, Lakoat.Kujawas has evolved from a library into a broader archival centre. Its founder, 39-year-old writer Dicky Senda was then researching for his short story anthology Kanuku Leon. While collecting