South Korea pushes expanded ASEAN food reserve

South Korea is pushing to broaden the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) into a wider regional food security mechanism as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten global supply chains and heighten concerns over food and energy security.

Speaking at the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed the vulnerability of critical global trade routes and underscored the need for stronger regional cooperation.

Cho said the ASEAN Plus Three grouping—comprising the 11 ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and South Korea—should build on the success of the existing emergency rice reserve by expanding its scope beyond rice to strengthen regional food resilience.

“What can we make this time? On food, we already have a tested mechanism of APTERR. The time has come to build upon this success by expanding its scope beyond rice,” Cho said.

He also called for closer regional cooperation on energy security, urging member countries to transform years of technical discussions into concrete initiatives beginning in 2028.

APTERR was established to provide emergency rice assistance during disasters and other crises, helping member countries strengthen food security, reduce poverty, and combat malnutrition without disrupting normal trade.

Cho said the current geopolitical environment presents an opportunity for the ASEAN Plus Three to demonstrate its relevance by enhancing cooperation in both food and energy security.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying expressed support for deeper regional collaboration, saying Beijing would continue to promote the ASEAN Plus Three framework as a key platform for East Asian cooperation.

She said China is prepared to work with member states to fully implement the bloc’s 2023-2027 Work Plan, including expanding cooperation in both traditional and emerging sectors to improve the region’s resilience.

In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers committed to further strengthening ASEAN Plus Three cooperation, particularly in the areas of food security, energy security, and disaster preparedness.

Analysts said expanding the regional food reserve beyond rice could help member economies better withstand future supply disruptions and rising commodity price risks stemming from geopolitical conflicts and climate-related shocks.