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AKARTA: The Agriculture Ministry will host a premier ASEAN crop conference — Crop World South East Asia 2011 — from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 in Jakarta, with attendees expected from regional countries, including representatives from governmental sectors, private sectors and from the United Nations.

“The conference will discuss production, technology, logistics, distribution and conservation issues that relate to food security,” ministry secretary general Hari Priyono told a press conference at the ministry on Tuesday.

Food security will be the event’s theme since it has become a current international issue, he added. “The theme is considered ideal for deeper discussion at the conference.”

Speakers will include ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, Agriculture Minister Suswono, United Nations Center for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) director Katinka Weinberger, the Trade Ministry’s international trade cooperation director general Gusmardi Bustami and the Southeast Asia Food and Agriculture Science and Technology (SEAFAST) center representative Purwiyanto Hariyadi.

The conference will also feature an accompanying exhibition.

The ministry is teaming up with United Business Media (UBM) Asia as the conference organizer.