Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof emphasized the need for collective approaches and strategies to strengthen the global pepper industry. He highlighted the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, such as prioritizing soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity, to achieve higher yields and better quality while reducing environmental impact. Fadillah also discussed the challenges faced by the pepper industry, including stricter import regulations and a decline in demand, and called for cooperation among member countries to stimulate an increase in demand for pepper.