Highlights
FAO Regional Conferences - Celebratory side events
Ceremonies and special side events were held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of FAO country representations as part of the...
FAO Regional Conferences - Celebratory side events
Ceremonies and special side events were held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of FAO country representations as part of the recently concluded FAO Regional Conferences for Latin America and the Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica) and Africa (Khartoum, Sudan).
FAO’s first country representation was established in 1977, followed by 54 more in the ensuing three-year period. This is why the Organization is undertaking a rolling 40th anniversary initiative between 2017 and 2019. Falling at midpoint in the celebrations, the Regional Conferences are an important opportunity for highlighting past achievements made through country-level cooperation. Perhaps more importantly, they are a timely occasion to renew the commitment of FAO, governments and partners to take concerted action for delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Delegates welcomed the 40th anniversary initiative as a chance to acknowledge the Organization’s long-term presence in the field while assuring flexibility, efficiency and a high level of technical capacity at the country level.
At the Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, a video showcased the legacy of FAO’s past and current cooperation with the region’s 15 country offices that are marking 40 years. And the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt sent special greetings to the delegates, with the words: “Healthy food system, healthy diet, and healthy life. Run with that”. The Director-General highlighted the most important transformations catalyzed by FAO in the region, and Myrna Cunningham, former Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, delivered a personal testimony.
At the Regional Conference for Africa, the anniversary was the subject of a side event within the ministerial roundtable. Delegates stressed that additional efforts - aligned with the Malabo Declaration - are required to win the battle against hunger and poverty, especially in the context of conflict, migration and natural disasters, in particular droughts.
This will require a more competitive, productive and diversified agriculture sector that generates employment, particularly for youth. The importance of empowering women and providing smallholders with the necessary tools, inputs and access to information was also noted by delegates. Burkina Faso’s Minister of Agriculture affirmed that malnutrition continues to be a public health issue, hence the importance of increasing the availability of and access to healthy and nutritious local products, including pulses. Ethiopia highlighted the strong dependence of rural areas on agriculture and the need to transform the sector into a driver of the economy, also with a view to increasing incomes. Senegal highlighted its successful National Programme for Livestock Development, while FAO Goodwill Ambassador Kanayo Nwanze from Nigeria mentioned the need to modernize infrastructure and use natural resources sustainably.
Visit 40th anniversary Regional Offices webpages: Latin America and the Caribbean; Africa; Asia and the Pacific; Near East and North Africa.
Country celebrationsLocal anniversary celebrations to date have shown strong government interest, highlighting strategic partnerships, including close collaboration with Rome-based and other UN agencies. These relationships are integral to FAO’s decentralization strategy and essential for supporting member countries’ achievement of Agenda 2030, particularly in areas concerning Zero Hunger.Many activities commemorating the 40 year milestone have been arranged in both regions, sometimes linking them with other major occasions such as World Food Day and Director-General’s official country visits. FAO Niger, for example, published a book for the occasion, while FAO-Congo organized a march against hunger and a forum on agricultural entrepreneurship at a local university. FAO-Tanzania held a round table discussion on climate change and produced short videos for prime-time TV channels, as well as a short documentary on the impact of FAO’s work in Tanzania. And this past September, the Director-General met Tanzania’s President John Magufuli to mark 40 years of FAO presence in the country. FAO-Kenya, organized gardens in various schools and a presentation of its publication “2016 in Review”. In addition, the Representation produced a video on FAO’s work in Kenya with messages from former FAO Representatives.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO-Colombia held a ceremony in which the Organization was distinguished by the House of Representatives with the Simón Bolívar Order of Democracy in recognition of its contribution to the fight against hunger and poverty. FAO-Ecuador organized an open-air fair and a race with participation of the First Lady and various ministers, as well as a solemn assembly inaugurating a plaque in recognition of the country's commitment to food security. FAO-El Salvador convened a special event in presence of the Minister of Agriculture who delivered a keynote speech on FAO’s crucial role in boosting the country’s economy. FAO-Mexico produced a special video and a brochure as part of last year’s World Food Day. This also coincided with the signature of an agreement to upgrade the FAO country office to a Partnership and Liaison Office, the first of this kind in Latin America. Former FAO Representative in Mexico Fernando Soto Baquero wrote an article on this: la opinión de @sotobaquero en @Univ_Opinion #40AñosUNFAOmx.
Establishment of FAO RepresentationsIn 1977, FAO made a far-reaching decision to start opening representations at the country level to bring its technical assistance closer to governments and the people who needed it most.
Between 1977 and 1979, 21 country representations were established in Africa: Tanzania, Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Kenya, Chad, Ghana, Nigeria, Niger and Benin in 1977; Gambia, Congo DR, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Zambia and Burkina Faso in 1977; and Uganda, Central African Republic, Mozambique and Mali in 1979. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 15 representations are marking four decades of FAO’s long-term presence at the country level: Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, and Ecuador signed the agreement with FAO in 1977; Guyana, Chile, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Uruguay, Bolivia, Barbados and Honduras in 1978; and Brazil and Dominican Republic in 1979. The series of 40th anniversary celebrations will continue with the upcoming Regional Conferences for Asia and the Pacific (30 April-4 May 2018, Fiji), the Near East (7-11 May, Rome), Europe (14-18 May 2018, Voronezh, Russian Federation) and will culminate at the global level on the occasion of the 41st session of the FAO Conference in 2019.
40 years of Country Representations in Africa
A special session was held as part of FAO Regional Conference for Africa (Khartoum, Sudan) to commemorate the
40 years of Country Representations in Africa
A special session was held as part of FAO Regional Conference for Africa (Khartoum, Sudan) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of FAO country representations. The aim was to discuss potential opportunities for domesticating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in alignment with the Malabo Declaration framework as part of a wider shift to accelerate inclusive agricultural growth in the region.
Participants welcomed the 40th anniversary initiative as an opportunity to renew the Organization’s commitment to its long-term presence in the field while assuring flexibility, efficiency and a high level of technical capacity at country level. FAO’s effective and close presence to its members was noted and appreciated by the delegates throughout the whole conference. It was also stressed that additional efforts are needed to win the battle against hunger and poverty in contexts of conflict, migration and natural disasters, especially those caused by drought conditions, which are hitting the continent harshly. This will require a more competitive, productive and diversified agriculture sector that generates employment, particularly for youth. The importance of empowering women and providing smallholders with the necessary tools, inputs and access to information was also noted by delegates. Burkina Faso’s Minister of Agriculture affirmed that malnutrition continues to be a public health issue, hence the importance of increasing the availability of and access to healthy and nutritious local products, including pulses. Ethiopia highlighted the strong dependence of rural areas on agriculture and the need to transform the sector into a driver of the economy, also with a view to increasing incomes. Senegal highlighted its successful National Programme for Livestock Development, while FAO Goodwill Ambassador Kanayo Nwanze from Nigeria mentioned the need to modernize infrastructure and use natural resources sustainably.
Between 2017 and 2019, 21 FAO country representations in the Africa region are celebrating their 40th anniversaries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.
Local anniversary celebrations to date have shown strong Government interest, highlighting strategic partnerships, including close collaboration with Rome-based and other UN agencies, to be integral to FAO’s decentralization strategy and essential for supporting African member countries’ achievement of the SDGs, particularly in areas concerning Zero Hunger. Many country offices in Africa involved in the celebrations have produced materials and organized outreach activities, sometimes linking them with other major occasions such as World Food Day and Director-General’s official country visits. FAO Niger, for example, published a book for the occasion, while FAO-Congo organized a march against hunger and a forum on agricultural entrepreneurship at a local university. FAO-Tanzania held a round table discussion on climate change and produced short videos for prime-time TV channels, as well as a short documentary on the impact of FAO’s work in Tanzania. And this past September, FAO Director-General met Tanzania’s President John Magufuli to mark 40 years of FAO presence in the country. FAO-Kenya, organized gardens in various schools and a workshop on its 2016 Annual Report. In addition, the Representation produced a video on FAO’s work in Kenya with messages from former FAO Representatives. The theme of this year’s FAO Regional Conference for Africa was “Sustainable development of agriculture and food systems in Africa: improving the means of production and the creation of decent and attractive employment for youth”, aiming to examine the state of food and agriculture in Africa, as well as the future prospects and emerging issues within the sector. The Conference aimed to chart a new path for agricultural development, food and nutrition security on the continent for the next two years. It discussed in particular the impact of climate change and the need to build resilience to address extreme vulnerability of Africa’s agriculture and rural livelihoods.
40 years of FAO representation in Jamaica
粮农组织驻缅甸办事处
粮农组织驻缅甸办事处与缅甸政府合作,在耶津大学举办了一场粮农组织—国际移民组织40周年特别小组讨论会,讨论会与世界粮食日活动同时举行。讨论会重点关注农村发展对于解决缅甸移民挑战的重要性。庆祝活动包括一场图片竞赛和播放一个视频片段。
粮农组织驻缅甸办事处
粮农组织驻缅甸办事处与缅甸政府合作,在耶津大学举办了一场粮农组织—国际移民组织40周年特别小组讨论会,讨论会与世界粮食日活动同时举行。讨论会重点关注农村发展对于解决缅甸移民挑战的重要性。庆祝活动包括一场图片竞赛和播放一个视频片段。
粮农组织驻厄瓜多尔办事处
粮农组织驻厄瓜多尔办事处将庆祝活动与今年的世界粮食日结合在一起。办事处与厄瓜多尔农业部、世界粮食计划署以及联合国妇女署共同组织了一场露天集市和赛跑活动,参加者包括厄瓜多尔第一夫人和多名部长。议员和部长们共同为一块牌匾揭幕,以纪念该国为确保粮食安全所作的努力。办事处还在制作一个视频,内容是来自粮农组织工作人员和厄瓜多尔人民对粮农组织所做工作的见证。
粮农组织驻厄瓜多尔办事处
粮农组织驻厄瓜多尔办事处将庆祝活动与今年的世界粮食日结合在一起。办事处与厄瓜多尔农业部、世界粮食计划署以及联合国妇女署共同组织了一场露天集市和赛跑活动,参加者包括厄瓜多尔第一夫人和多名部长。议员和部长们共同为一块牌匾揭幕,以纪念该国为确保粮食安全所作的努力。办事处还在制作一个视频,内容是来自粮农组织工作人员和厄瓜多尔人民对粮农组织所做工作的见证。
粮农组织驻尼日尔办事处
粮农组织驻尼日尔办事处为纪念40周年出版了一本书:《粮农组织与尼日尔合作40周年——一起为全世界实现“零饥饿”而工作》,并且在当地报纸发表专栏文章和一篇关于粮农组织过去40年所做工作的论文:《粮农组织对尼日尔40年的影响和支持》,以此拉开纪念活动序幕。
粮农组织驻尼日尔办事处
粮农组织驻尼日尔办事处为纪念40周年出版了一本书:《粮农组织与尼日尔合作40周年——一起为全世界实现“零饥饿”而工作》,并且在当地报纸发表专栏文章和一篇关于粮农组织过去40年所做工作的论文:《粮农组织对尼日尔40年的影响和支持》,以此拉开纪念活动序幕。
粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处
粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处于1977年6月14日在贝鲁特正式成立。40年后,今年6月,办事处为现任及前任农业部长、高级别政府官员、联合国机构伙伴和粮农组织工作人员举办了一场开斋晚宴,这是斋月期间日落之后的晚饭。粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处还为40周年组织了一场图片展览,展示其实地开展的项目,并在当地报纸(《每日星报》和《白天报》)发表了专栏文章。
粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处
粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处于1977年6月14日在贝鲁特正式成立。40年后,今年6月,办事处为现任及前任农业部长、高级别政府官员、联合国机构伙伴和粮农组织工作人员举办了一场开斋晚宴,这是斋月期间日落之后的晚饭。粮农组织驻黎巴嫩办事处还为40周年组织了一场图片展览,展示其实地开展的项目,并在当地报纸(《每日星报》和《白天报》)发表了专栏文章。
粮农组织驻塞内加尔办事处
粮农组织驻塞内加尔办事处于2017年9月25日至29日期间组织了几场推广活动,包括关于可持续发展目标、气候变化和农业的小组讨论会,一场高级别会议,以及展示粮农组织和塞内加尔过去40年合作情景的图片展览。
粮农组织驻塞内加尔办事处
粮农组织驻塞内加尔办事处于2017年9月25日至29日期间组织了几场推广活动,包括关于可持续发展目标、气候变化和农业的小组讨论会,一场高级别会议,以及展示粮农组织和塞内加尔过去40年合作情景的图片展览。
粮农组织驻萨尔瓦多办事处
粮农组织驻萨尔瓦多办事处及其在该国的主要合作伙伴举行了一场特殊活动,庆祝粮农组织于1977年在该国设立办事处。农业与家畜部长发表了主旨演讲,突出粮农组织在推进该国农业部门发展方面所起的关键作用。粮农组织代表强调了粮农组织过去几十年所做出的宝贵贡献,称粮农组织重点推动了可持续农业、农村发展、适应气候变化以及确保粮食安全和改善营养的公共政策。出席活动的有当地和国家级官员,他们为粮农组织在该国的工作提供支持。
粮农组织驻萨尔瓦多办事处
粮农组织驻萨尔瓦多办事处及其在该国的主要合作伙伴举行了一场特殊活动,庆祝粮农组织于1977年在该国设立办事处。农业与家畜部长发表了主旨演讲,突出粮农组织在推进该国农业部门发展方面所起的关键作用。粮农组织代表强调了粮农组织过去几十年所做出的宝贵贡献,称粮农组织重点推动了可持续农业、农村发展、适应气候变化以及确保粮食安全和改善营养的公共政策。出席活动的有当地和国家级官员,他们为粮农组织在该国的工作提供支持。
粮农组织驻墨西哥办事处
粮农组织驻墨西哥办事处为纪念活动制作了特别的传播产品,包括一份40周年视频和手册。在该国举办40周年活动时还签署了一项协议,将目前的驻墨西哥国家办事处升级为伙伴关系和联络办公室,这是粮农组织在拉丁美洲的首个伙伴关系和联络办公室。
粮农组织驻墨西哥办事处
粮农组织驻墨西哥办事处为纪念活动制作了特别的传播产品,包括一份40周年视频和手册。在该国举办40周年活动时还签署了一项协议,将目前的驻墨西哥国家办事处升级为伙伴关系和联络办公室,这是粮农组织在拉丁美洲的首个伙伴关系和联络办公室。