Phnom Penh, 25 August 2026 — Hon. Kittisethabindit Cheam Yeap, First Vice-President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, on Tuesday morning emphasised the need for responsible investment to strengthen food security and climate-resilient agriculture across Southeast Asia.
 
Speaking on behalf of Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Hon. Cheam Yeap officially opened the Parliamentary Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on “Responsible Investment for Food and Climate Security: Advancing the ASEAN RAI Agenda” at the National Assembly Palace.
 
He warmly welcomed parliamentarians from AIPA Member Parliaments, representatives of relevant ministries and institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society and other stakeholders attending the dialogue.
 
Hon. Cheam Yeap warned that climate change and food insecurity are no longer future threats, as extreme weather and environmental degradation are already disrupting agricultural production and food systems across Southeast Asia.
 
“It is no longer a mere climate change but an acute climate crisis our global community needs to address together,” he said.
 
He emphasised the need for greater investment in climate-resilient agriculture, climate adaptation, water resource management and smart early-warning systems to protect farmers and ensure stable food supplies.
 
Hon. Cheam Yeap said national efforts must be supported by strong regional frameworks based on shared values, interests and responsibilities. He highlighted the ASEAN RAI Guidelines, adopted in 2018, which promote investment that is economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable.
 
“We cannot afford investments that extract short-term profits at the expense of our long-term survival,” he said.
 
He stressed that parliaments have a constitutional responsibility to translate the ASEAN RAI principles into enforceable national laws and policies while strengthening oversight of their implementation.
 
“It is our constitutional duty to translate the high-level principles of the ASEAN RAI into actionable, enforceable national realities,” he said.
 
He identified four core parliamentary functions for advancing the agenda: reviewing legislation, overseeing government implementation, supporting adequate budgets for climate adaptation and representation of the interests of smallholder farmers, Indigenous communities, women in agriculture and rural youth.
 
Hon. Cheam Yeap also encouraged close cooperation among parliaments, governments, the private sector, academia, research institutions, civil society and local communities. He said the private sector has an important role in providing innovation, technology and investment at scale.
 
He expressed hope for the establishment of a regional food stockpile to help ASEAN respond to the climate crisis and strengthen regional food supply chains.
 
The dialogue is expected to produce a comprehensive report with practical, people-centred recommendations on responsible investment for food and climate security. Hon. Cheam Yeap expressed hope that the recommendations could contribute to AIPA’s messages during its interface dialogue with ASEAN leaders.