FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific joins hands with the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in co-organizing the 2013 World Milk Day Celebration in Thailand with the main theme: "Milk for Health and Prosperity of Southeast Asian region".  The event of the 2013 World Milk Day Celebration will comprise a technical symposium on the theme “A Healthy and Prosperous South East Asia: Where fits Dairy?” in Novotel Hotel, Siam Square and a public function at the Discovery Plaza near Siam Discovery mall. 

Vili A. Fuavao, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, and Dr. Yukol Limlamthong, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives will address the event. The technical symposium will include presentations on the changing dairy landscape in Southeast Asia, ASEAN community building: challenges and opportunities for the livestock and dairy sector, the lessons learned from empowering women through dairying. There will also be two panel on regional integration and dairy development in Southeast Asia and on the nutritional properties of milk.

Public events include games and promotional activities by participating organizations and companies, a performance by Muay Thai Classical Dancers and many other entertainment activities led by Thai celebrities

According to FAO, milk consumption and production is very important for improving the nutrition status of children and for promoting opportunities for milk producers in rural areas. Milk is a highly nutritious food and an excellent source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. 

FAO says milk has become one of the most celebrated success stories in Asia. In 2011 Asia’s milk production crossed exceeded 265 million tonnes, meaning that the region’s milk production grew five fold since the early 1970s. However,   despite this spectacular growth consumption has exceeded production in many countries, leading to surging import costs.

FAO has promoted World Milk Day in recognition of multiple benefits of milk consumption and production. The first World Milk Day was celebrated in June 2001 and has since become an annual event in many countries as a way to help people make healthy beverage choices.