Parliament of Malaysia Champions AIPA’s Efforts in Promoting ASEAN Guidelines on Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (ASEAN RAI)

– Kuala Lumpur, 18 February 2025 – In championing commitment to sustainable development, the Parliament of Malaysia and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) organize a National Parliamentary Briefing on Promoting ASEAN Guidelines on Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (ASEAN RAI). Co-hosted with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and with technical support from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the briefing represents a significant advancement in strengthening parliamentary action to drive responsible and sustainable investment in food, agriculture, and forestry sectors (FAF) across region. Under Malaysia’s leadership during its AIPA Presidency, this briefing emphasizes the vital role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring that the ASEAN RAI Guidelines are effectively implemented within national policies and legislative frameworks. By bringing together parliamentarians, representatives from FAO, AIPA and ASEAN Secretariats, this event facilitated meaningful discussions on enhancing responsible investment practices. Malaysia is taking the lead in championing Pillar 4: Oversight under the ASEAN RAI Parliamentary Implementation Framework 2024–2030, reinforcing the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and accountability in shaping sustainable investment decisions. “Today marks a pivotal step in recognizing the Parliament of Malaysia as a pathfinder parliament, championing Pillar 4 of the ASEAN RAI Parliamentary Implementation Framework. Our commitment to parliamentary oversight ensures that agricultural investment policies and practices are ethically sound, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. This platform brings together Members of Parliament, the AIPA Secretariat and key stakeholders to deliberate on oversight strategies that uphold transparency, accountability and long-term resilience in agricultural investments. Our collective goal is to foster investments that are not only profitable but also equitable and beneficial to communities, ecosystems and future generations. I hope today’s deliberations will inspire innovative solutions, strengthen regional collaboration and drive meaningful actions”, said H.E. Dato’ Dr. Ramli bin Mohd Nor, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia. “Food security, a key priority of Malaysia’s AIPA Presidency, highlights the essential role of agriculture and forestry in the economy. Responsible investment is crucial to promote productivity while safeguarding resources and communities. Parliamentary oversight is central to ensuring that investment policies are well-regulated and effectively implemented, and Malaysia’s leadership in this area strengthens accountability for long-term resilience,” said H.E. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of AIPA. “A fundamental step in addressing challenge for sustainable Food Systems for better nutrition is to increase investments in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors. Such investment is crucial for food security and poverty alleviation. To generate long-term sustainable benefits for people and the planet, it must be responsible”, said Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste and FAO focal point for ASEAN. This briefing builds on the ASEAN RAI Parliamentary Implementation Framework 2024–2030, adopted at the 45th AIPA General Assembly, and follows the 3rd AIPA-FAO-IISD Joint Workshop in December 2024, which identified pathfinder parliaments. Malaysia’s leadership reflects its commitment to strengthening parliamentary oversight at both national and regional levels. By focusing on oversight functions, the briefing aims to enhance parliamentary engagement and align the ASEAN RAI Parliamentary Implementation Framework with national and regional priorities.

---

  Download for PDF