BANGKOK, June 17 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable food security and biodiversity in Asia and the Pacific.
The MOU was inked by SEAFDEC Secretary-General Chumnarn Pongsri and USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia Director Michael Yates and witnessed by US Ambassador Kristie Kenney in Bangkok on Monday.
Under the MOU, USAID and SEAFADEC agreed to work together in funding, designing and implementing and evaluating activities for sustainable fisheries in the region.
Both organizations will organise regular meetings to implement and carry out plans for effective natural resource management and set up a committee to work on a regional agenda to promote sustainable, responsible fisheries in which all products can be traceable.
USAID and SEAFDEC also planned to cooperate with other US Government agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Interior for technical experts and supports in such activities.
According to SEAFDEC, 70 per cent of the world’s total fisheries production in 2011 was from Asia, while 18.8 per cent of the total production was from 10 South East Asian Nations.
