On 24 September 2024 AFSIS Secretariat in collaboration with the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) participated in the Invitational to the DG-level bilateral meeting on Agriculture Statistics and the support of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) This meeting took place in Tokyo, Japan, with representatives from Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative (MOAC) along with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
The representatives from the OAE side included Mr. Chantanon Wannakejohn, Secretary-General,Mr. Vinit Atisook, Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager, and representatives from the APTERR Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Mr. FUKAMI Shusuke, Director General, Mr. FUJII Masakuni, Director, Mr. HOSAKA Masahiro Deputy Director, and staff from the Statistics Department.
The meeting aimed to establish guidelines for agricultural statistics operations in line with the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). Discussions also covered the support and operational strategies for AFSIS and plans to enhance cooperation among ASEAN member countries. This includes improving the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information related to sustainable food security, with budgetary support from Japan's MAFF.
The meeting successfully ended with great collaboration from both sides to confirm their utmost effort to support the continuity and progression of the AFSIS outcomes in the future.
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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