Asean Mulls Stockpiling Medicines, Cooperation On Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Asean leaders are considering stockpiling medicines to be made available to member countries in fighting outbreak of diseases, says Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said Monday that the leaders also expressed interest in energy cooperation, including tapping the expertise of countries like Japan which were advanced in energy conservation and efficiency.
On the medicine stockpiling initiative, Abdullah said such a move was needed to ensure that Asean nations were always prepared to face the outbreak of diseases like avian influenza and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
"We are considering the possibility of setting up some kind of a stockpile of medicines that can be available to any country within our region that may be affected by any kind of diseases like the bird flu," he said.
He said this at a press conference held at the end of the 11th Asean Summit, which was attended by the regional leaders, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.
"We never know when diseases will strike us but we have to be always in a state of preparedness," said Abdullah who chaired the summit.
He said the leaders also expressed their intention to cooperate closely in combating diseases, including by enhancing information exchange.
"We intend to meet and decide on the course of action whenever necessary, especially in tackling a disease like the bird flu," he added.
On energy cooperation, Abdullah said Asean countries were also looking at developing alternative energy, especially biofuel.
"We are rich in resources that can be converted into biofuel," he said.
Nevertheless, he added, developing countries would need a lot of capital investment and technology for this endeavour.