On 8 August 2024, AFSIS Secretariat participated in the Special Senior Officials Meeting of the 23rd Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three (SSOM-23rdAMAF+3) hosted by Malaysia as a physical meeting. The representatives of the AFSIS Secretariat were Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager,
During the meeting, Dr. Sumanya reported the meeting of the progress of the AFSIS in the 2023-2024(Q2) and future work plan. Furthermore, the sustainability of AFSIS including the Joint Understanding of AFSIS which was adopted in the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting in June 2024 was presented in the aforesaid meetings.
The Meeting noted the AFSIS progress report for 2023-2024(Q2), which includes outcomes from the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting and activities from 2023-2024(Q2). In terms of administrative functions, Human resource development activities, food security information development, and cooperation projects with Plus Three countries and other relevant organizations on the importance of agricultural statistical data and information management in the ASEAN.
The Meeting also endorsed the Joint Understanding from the 22nd AFSIS Focal Point Meeting. This endorsement supports the sustainability of AFSIS by reinforcing its role, function, and long-term viability However, the Meeting requested that the AMS submit their feedback on the Joint Understanding to the AFSIS Secretariat by 20 August 2024.
In late November and early December 2024, Malaysia and southern Thailand experienced severe flooding and heavy rainfall, which caused widespread damage, including landslides and agricultural devastation. In Malaysia, 25 districts across seven states were severely impacted, with households evacuated and extensive flooding reported. Similarly, southern Thailand experienced heavy rains and flash flooding, particularly in provinces affecting over 136,000 households. The floods severely damaged agricultural sectors, with significant losses in paddy rice and other crops, amounting to millions of dollars in damages in both countries. In response, both nations initiated emergency measures, including providing aid and conducting damage assessments. Malaysia focused on intensive assistance to affected households, while Thailand mobilized a range of relief efforts, including specialized equipment and emergency vehicles, to support flood-stricken regions. The agricultural losses in both countries highlight the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and more resilient agricultural systems.
The tropical cyclones that impacted the Philippines in November 2024, including Yinxing, Oraji, Usagi, and Man-Yi, have caused widespread devastation across several provinces, resulting in heavy rainfall, severe winds, flooding, and significant agricultural damage. These storms have left communities grappling with extensive losses, including damaged crops, disrupted livelihoods, and displacement. Despite the severe impacts, the government of the Philippines, along with international aid from neighboring countries and global partners, has mobilized resources for relief and recovery. The ongoing efforts to assist those affected highlight the resilience of the Filipino people and the importance of continued preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
On 26-27 November 2024, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, the AFSIS Manager, participated in the 30th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-30), held in Perth, Australia. This event was co-organized by the Australian Space Agency (ASA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The forum's focus was to bring together stakeholders from various space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing regional issues through space-based solutions.
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 22:57 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, erupted on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, The eruption, lasting 24 minutes (1,450 seconds), was recorded with a massive amplitude of 47.3 mm. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, a strong eruption sent ash up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), affecting over 10,000 people. Smaller eruptions followed on November 5-6. In response, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the volcano’s alert status to “Awas” (Level IV), indicating a high danger level.
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