Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
The primary purpose of the Guidelines is to promote investment in food, agriculture and forestry in the ASEAN region that contributes to regional economic development, food and nutrition security, food safety and equitable benefits, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources. Other objectives include:
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Investment in FAF is one of the most critical ways for ASEAN countries to provide employment and livelihoods, reduce poverty and improve food and nutrition security. However, there are a number of risks associated with private sector investment, particularly foreign investment.
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When done badly, private sector investment can exacerbate existing inequalities, undermine the livelihoods of smallholder farmers,indigenous peoples, and natural resources.
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But when done well, and integrated with the local economy, increased investment can help generate employment and promote economic development. All stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring positive outcomes, and each faces a unique yet interlocking set of risks and challenges.
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Investment in FAF creates challenges for AMS in the following six key areas:
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
Why do we need guidelines specific to ASEAN?
The primary purpose of the Guidelines is to promote investment in food, agriculture and forestry in the ASEAN region that contributes to regional economic development, food and nutrition security, food safety and equitable benefits, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources. Other objectives include:
The primary purpose of the Guidelines is to promote investment in food, agriculture and forestry in the ASEAN region that contributes to regional economic development, food and nutrition security, food safety and equitable benefits, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources. Other objectives include:
The ASEAN Guidelines on
Promoting Responsible Investment
in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (ASEAN RAI) contributes regionally specific guidance on agri-investments to an existing landscape of voluntary sustainability standards and certifications.
The ASEAN RAI and existing global frameworks and guidelines
However, the ever-increasing number and types of guidance can be confusing for agribusiness and financial investors.
This page aims to:
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Reduce fragmentation by demonstrating similarities and linkages between the ASEAN RAI and other global standards and principles
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Demonstrate how the ASEAN RAI adds value to those other principles, because of its unique focus on challenges and opportunities in ASEAN
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Target group(s): ASEAN Member State governments, as well as agribusiness investors, smallholders & SMEs, communities, civil society groups, financial institutions
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Industry: agriculture, food and forestry
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Year endorsed: 2018
The ASEAN RAI is a guidance instrument based on the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI Principles) but developed and adopted by the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in 2018. The ASEAN RAI includes 10 key principles, on social, environmental and governance issues, which public, private and civil society sectors should follow.
ASEAN RAI draws on the following global frameworks and principles*:
The Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems by the Committee of World Food Security
(CFS-RAI Principles)
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Target audience: All stakeholders, including private investors, governments, civil society, and communities
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Industry: Agriculture and food systems, and encompasses the entire range of activities involved in the production, processing, marketing, retail, consumption, and disposal of goods. This includes food and non-food products, livestock, pastoralism, fisheries including aquaculture, and forestry, as well as the inputs needed and the outputs generated at each of these steps
ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy
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Target audience: governments of the home and host countries of MNEs, employers’ and workers’ organizations, multinational and national enterprises
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Industry: general/sector-agnostic
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Target audience: all relevant stakeholders
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Industry: general/sector-agnostic
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
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Target audience: public and private sector
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Industry: general/sector-agnostic
Free, Prior and Informed
Consent (FPIC)
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Target audience: all relevant stakeholders
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Industry: general/sector-agnostic
OECD Guidelines for
Multinational Enterprises
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Target audience: private sector
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Industry: general/sector-agnostic
UN Global Compact
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Target audience: private sector
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Industry: general, with specific principles on food and agriculture
Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT)
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Target audience: all relevant stakeholders (emphasis on vulnerable and marginalized people)
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Industry: agriculture (crops, forestry, fisheries)
Want to see how your existing sustainability commitments compare to the 10 ASEAN RAI Principles?
You can now explore how 300+ sustainability standards, certifications, and codes of conduct align with the ASEAN RAI on the Standards Map, an interactive platform hosted by the International Trade Centre. Visit the map and enter “ASEAN” into the “search by standard name” bar, then select the ASEAN RAI. You can add up to three other standards or certifications for your comparison!
You can use this Map to show how your organization is already closely aligned to the ASEAN RAI because of your existing commitments, and be more prepared for national policy requirements based on the ASEAN RAI. Write to us with questions!
Legal Foundations of Global Guidance Related to Responsible Agricultural Investment
*All links sourced by the ASEAN RAI Action Plan partners.
This is not an exhaustive list. If you think there is a guideline or tool missing, please feel free to reach out to us.