Ms. Marlene Ramirez, Asiadhrra SecGen, presented civil society perspectives during the Consultation Meeting of Senior Officials Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) and Senior Official Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) entitled “Achieving Poverty Eradication and Rural Development through Improved Food Security, Livelihood and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in ASEAN”
The joint meeting between SOM-AMAF and SOM-RDPE provided a a consultative and collaborative platform for the two sectors on food security, poverty eradication, rural development, livelihood, climate change and adaptation strategies. It was attained through the exchanges of information on sectoral policies and programmes.  The meeting achieved it set objectives, as follows:

1. To share and update information on sectoral policies and programmes on food security, poverty eradication, rural development, livelihood, climate change and adaptation strategies.
2. To identify crosscutting issues and activities of both sectors that requires collaboration and cooperation.
3. To explore modalities and areas of common interest for collaboration.

The Meeting was held in Da Nang city, Viet Nam, on 11 June 2012 back to back with the 9th SOMRDPE. It was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam, which acts as the focal point for both the SOM-AMAF and SOMRDPE, and with support from the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting was attended by approximately 50 participants, consisting  of SOM-AMAF Leaders, SOMRDPE Leaders  and representatives from FAO , UNDP,  ADB, AsiaDHRRA, the ASEAN Secretariat  and other SOM delegates.