Rome - Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan today visited FAO where he and the Organization’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, reviewed the country’s successful efforts in achieving food security.

“We highly value FAO’s cooperation,” said President Sargsyan. In particular, he noted the successful technical support on grape and apricot genetic resource conservation and sustainable use provided by FAO at the government’s request.  

President Sargsyan and Graziano da Silva also discussed ways to develop the agriculture sector and enhance access to international markets.

Graziano da Silva hailed the ongoing collaboration between FAO and Armenia, a partnership which this year marks its 20th anniversary. He also and confirmed FAO’s intention to further expand its activities in Armenia and other post-Soviet countries which are in need of FAO’s technical expertise.

Millenium Development Goals Award

Armenia is one of the 38 countries that received an award from FAO in 2013 for reducing by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015 - in keeping with a target set by the first Millennium Development Goal - and for reaching the more stringent goal set by the 1996 World Food Summit (WFS) to reduce by half the number of undernourished people.

Along with other 71 countries, Armenia is invited to the Millennium Development Goals award ceremony to be held at the forthcoming FAO Conference on 7 June.

FAO in Armenia

FAO is present in Armenia through cooperation which focuses on six priority areas: enhanced livelihoods and competitiveness of small-scale farmers; animal health and production; crop production and plant protection; forestry; development of fisheries and aquaculture and agricultural statistics.

The FAO Director-General  assured President Sargsyan  that FAO will continue supporting the government of Armenia towards achieving its agricultural development goals.