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STATEMENTS AND INTERVIEWS BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
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WSFS CONCLUDING PRESS CONFERENCE
18 November 2009 |
| Concluding Press Conference of the World Summit on Food Security (14.30, Rome time): FAO Director-General, Mr Jacques Diouf (English and French languages) |
| Duration:
71min.37sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
First Ladies Summit at FAO, Rome |
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15 November 2009, Rome -- The Second Non Aligned Movement First Ladies Summit is held in conjunction with the World Summit on Food Security (Rome, 16-18 Nove.09)
It aims at addressing the many aspects of hunger and malnutrition, and identifying concrete steps that NAM First Ladies could play to address these issues, including through the exchange of national experiences in ensuring womens’ accsess to ressources, particularly Land and Credit, as well as Human Capital and knowledge.
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1. Ms Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt and current Chair of NAM First Ladies Summit, opened the Rome meeting in presence of the Heads of the Rome based-Food Agencies (FAO, WFP, IFAD). Ms Mubarak is also FAO Goodwill Ambassador.
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| Duration:
11min.24sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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2. FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, deplored the lack of data and statistics that are specific to the role of women in agriculture.
(In French)
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| Duration:
3min.41sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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3. Press conference with FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf and Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt - Audio recording including all language-Questions & Answers Session (Arabic, English and French)
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| Duration:
15min.57sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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13 November 2009, Rome - On the eve of a major Hunger Summit, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf is embarking on a 24-hour public hunger strike to express his solidarity for more than 1 billion people around the world who are suffering from chronic hunger.
Dressed in a tracksuit, overcoat and woolly hat to keep out the cold, he settled into his make-shift room in FAO's Reception Area, equipped with a desk, a sofa and a prayer mat, as surprised staff members headed for the door.
Photo ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
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| Call by Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf, to sign petition |
Over one billion people live in chronic hunger
"...six seconds, a child dies..."
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| Duration:
6sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
Un milliard de personnes souffrent de faim chronique
"...6 secondes, un enfant meurt..."
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| Duration:
6sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
Mil millones de personas sufren de hambre crónica
"...seis minutos, un niño muere..."
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| Duration:
6sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
Press Conference at FAO - World Summit on Food Security
Petition against hunger launched
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11 November, 2009 – During a Press Conference announcing the World Food Summit on Food Security (Rome 16-18 November 2009), FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf has issued a message of hope: the battle against hunger can be won if decision makers follow the good examples, presented in the new FAO report "Pathways to Success".
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1. "Some success stories show that the world can achieve food security and MDG goals", said Jacques Diouf, encouraging world leaders to do more.
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| Duration:
3min.5sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
2. The Director-General of FAO launches "The 1billionhungry petition": "Do you agree that hunger is unacceptable?"
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| Duration:
2min.9sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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14 October 2009, Rome --
The State of Food Insecurity is produced this year in collaboration with WFP. It is issued on the eve of World Food Day, to be celebrated on 16 October 2009 under the theme "Achieving food security in times of crisis".
Ce rapport paraît à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation qui sera célébrée le 16 octobre 2009 au siège de la FAO, à Rome, ainsi que dans le monde entier.
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| Écoutez M. Jacques Diouf, Directeur-général de la FAO (français): |
| Duration:
3min.27sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| Listen to Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of WFP (English): |
| Duration:
1min.51sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
“ 1.02 million people hungry ”
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Friday, 19 June 2009 , Rome - World hunger is projected to reach a historic high in 2009 with 1 020 million people going hungry every day, according to new estimates published by FAO today.
The following are selected excerpts from a press conference jointly held, at FAO headquarters in Rome, by the Rome based-Food Agencies of the United-Nations (©FAO Photo/Giulio Napolitano-Left to right: Sheeran, Diouf, Wyatt)
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| Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
| Duration:
1min.46sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP) |
| Duration:
38sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| Matthew Wyatt, Assistant President, External Affairs Department, |
| Duration:
3min.12sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
New Hunger figures for 2009 |
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The current global economic slowdown, which follows - and partly overlaps with - the food and fuel crisis, is at the core of the sharp increase in world hunger. It has reduced incomes and employment opportunities of the poor and significantly lowered their access to food. Recent figures of the FAO Food Outlook indicate a strong world cereal production in 2009, which will only modestly fall short of last year’s record output level of 2 287 million tonnes.
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1. According to Kostas Stamoulis(Photo), Director of the Agricultural Development and Economics Division, the estimated increase in the number of hungry people from 2008 to 2009 is 100 million. The food price crisis and the sharp reduction of incomes due to the financial and economic crisis have contributed to this increase.
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| Duration:
1min.2sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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2. Kostas Stamoulis speaks about the economic crisis in developing countries and the depleted coping strategies of the poor.
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| Duration:
1min.24sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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Professional football against hunger match weekend 20-22 March
European football greats Raúl Gonzalez, Paolo Rossi, Hirsto Stoichkov, Hansi Müller and Fernando Couto are among the many football stars who will be supporting or playing this weekend’s in leagues matches dedicated to raising awareness of the shocking number of 963 million of hunger victims worldwide. Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of FAO, has the following message for the pros and the fans:
Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of FAO, has the following message for the pros and the fans:
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| Message from FAO's Head, Jacques Diouf: |
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Photo ©FAO/Mamadou Gomis: Raúl in Senegal,
28 November 2006
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| Duration:
2min.15sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
Water key to eradicating hunger and poverty |
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A three-day pan-African ministerial Conference pledged to promote water development throughout the continent to fully exploit Africa's agricultural and hydroenergy potential.In a final Declaration, the Conference, on Water for Energy and Agriculture in Africa: the Challenges of Climate Change, noted that water is a key resource to economic and social development as well as to hunger and poverty eradication in Africa, and that food and energy security are prerequisites for the development of Africa's human capital.
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Water management is |
1. "Much has changed since 2004. The world today is in a crisis. The severe financial and economic crisis was preceded by a food crisis that disrupted the international agricultural economy and highlighted the fragility of world food security. It also showed us that reviving agricultural production in poor countries is the only viable and lasting solution to the fight against hunger. We must therefore invest more in agriculture."
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| Duration:
51sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (823 KB) |
2. "Agriculture accounts for 17 percent of Africa ’s GDP , 57 percent of its employment and 11 percent of its exports. Its population, which th on inhabitants, of whom 53 percent are under the age of 20, will reach 2 billion in 2050. Agriculture and related industries are essential to economic growth in Africa , and to a reduction in poverty and food insecurity."
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| Duration:
50sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (803 KB) |
3. "In 2003-2005, 24 percent of Africa ’s population, or 218 million people, still suffered from chronic undernutrition. In 2007, the food crisis added a further 24 million people to the number suffering from chronic hunger in sub-Saharan Africa . In addition, today 70 percent of its poor people live in rural areas."
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| Duration:
42sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (677 KB) |
16 december 2008, Syrte, Lybia -- FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, is interviewed by UN Radio's Samir Darabi |
| Duration:
12min.33sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (9.032 KB) |
The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2008 |
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Another 40 million people have been pushed into hunger this year primarily due to higher food prices, according to preliminary estimates published by FAO. This brings the overall number of undernourished people in the world to 963 million, and the ongoing financial crisis could tip even more people into hunger. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General, indicated that a new system of world food security must be established.
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1. Mr Diouf underlined that the current crisis is no where to be over.
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| Duration:
3min.43sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (2.671 KB) |
2. According to Mr Diouf, structural constraints facing agriculture must be addressed.
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| Duration:
1min.40sec. |
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Format:
mp3 (1.119 KB) |
3. Egypt: FAO's work on soaring food prices |
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Strategic actions are undertaken and closely monitored.Egypt has recovered from the food riots caused by soaring food prices, last year.
Abdessalam OULD AHMED is Deputy Regional Representative for the Near East and FAO Representative in Egypt. He is witnessing the government's efforts to contain the food crisis and plans for the longer term food security, with the help of international partners:
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| Duration:
2min.22sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2008.
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Annual report weighs opportunities and risks of biofuels
7 October 2008, Rome - Biofuel policies and subsidies should be urgently reviewed in order to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability, FAO said today in a new edition of its annual flagship publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2008.
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1. "The challenge is to reduce or manage the risks while sharing the opportunities more widely and ensuring that benefits reach the poor", noted Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General, at a press conference in Rome.
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| Duration:
3min.25sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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2. Biofuel policies and subsidies should be urgently reviewed in order to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability, according to FAO analyst Keith Wiebe.
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| Duration:
2min.50sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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3. Production of biofuel feedstocks may create income and employment, if particularly poor small farmers receive support to expand their production and gain access to markets.
FAO Natural Resources economist Astrid Agostini, has this view:
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| Duration:
7min.25sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
High-level Conference on Climate Change and Food security |
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Address by Mr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (English and Spanish versions)
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English version
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| Duration:
22min. |
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Format:
mp3 |
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Spanish
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| Duration:
30min. |
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Format:
mp3 |
How to cope with food price increases
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Press Conference by FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf to launch immediate action plan
Recent dramatic increases in food and commodity prices are threatening the food security of millions of people in many of the world’s poorest developing countries, especially those which rely heavily on food imports. However, in view of the magnitude of the problem, it is unlikely that national policies alone will be sufficient to protect the poor. Some form of concerted international action is needed.
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| 1. Coping with higher global bills |
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"Many governments are trying to moderate the impact of high prices through restricting exports or reducing tariffs on imported food", said Mr Jacques Diouf. Rising food prices have sparked social tensions in many parts of the world but could have a positive impact on small farmers' production capacity.
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| Duration:
2min.20sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| 2. FAO calls for urgent action and immediate |
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"There is a need to increase the purchasing power of farmers for seeds, farmers and animal feeds and involve the private sector", said Jacques Diouf.
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| Duration:
2min.21sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| 3. FAO to commit US$ 17 million |
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and to hold a High-Level Conference on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, in Rome from 3 to 5 June 2008.
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| Duration:
1min.23sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
A New agriculture with a New FAO |
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19 November, 2007, Rome --The following are excerpts (in English, French and Spanish)from the opening Statement by the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf, as the biennum Conference of the Organization opens in Rome. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
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| Jacques Diouf |
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In English: "...for a broader debate on "Feeding the World in 2050", which is the theme of the second high-level conference that I propose to convene in the autumn of 2008..."
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| Duration:
1min.59sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| En français: |
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"In its 2008 report, the World Bank speaks of a new agriculture. For my part, I should like to see that new agriculture aligned with a new FAO."
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| Duration:
2min.40sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
| En español |
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" In the last two years agriculture has returned to the international agenda. The World Bank’s report for 2008 is significant in this regard. For the first time in a quarter of a century, its report is devoted to agriculture for development. "
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| Duration:
5min.34sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
Does food aid do more harm than good?
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In its annual report, The State of Food and Agriculture 2006, FAO examines the often controversial issue of the relationship between food aid and food security.
The report was launched at FAO Headquarters in Rome, on January 24th 2007, by FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf. Following are some selected excerpts from his statement and from his close collaborators on the issue:
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| 1. Mr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO: the Report's findings |
| Duration:
2min.6sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
20-25 November 2006, Rome - Jacques Diouf calls for payment of arrears by FAO Member States |
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FAO to make difficult choices on Programme priority setting and resource allocations.
Delays in Member States' contributions and arrears hamper FAO's assistance to more needy countries.
(Photo: FAO/I. Balderi)
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Director-General Jacques Diouf expressed the concern at the 131st Session of FAO Council, the executive organ of the Conference, that is attended by Russia for the first time as a full Member:
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| Duration:
1min.17sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
12 October 2006, Rome -- Launching of a new FAO Crisis Management Center |
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The CMC mandate by Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General
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For a rapid response
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| Duration:
1min.30sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
61st World Food Day Spotlights Public-Private Investment in Agriculture
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"Investing in Agriculture for Food Security" is the theme of this year's World Food Day, which on 16 October marks the 61st anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf says food security requires a combination of factors.(FAO Photo)
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Jacques Diouf: "Public-private cooperation and investments needed in land, water and infrastructure".
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| Duration:
1min.3sec. |
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Format:
mp3 |
FAO and trade-related issues in agriculture |
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Before WTO, Hong Kong -- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has always voiced concern over low producer prices for many of the world’s major agricultural commodities, such as coffee, sugar, meat, oils and cotton. In this audio segment, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf highlights that a common element to all regional programmes for food security is to address issues of conditions for market access.
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A major condition being how to meet international standards, legislations and regulations as Mr. Jacques Diouf explained (April 2005, FAO Committee on Commodity Problems) :
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| Duration:
2min.9sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (144 KB)
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mp3 (1030 KB) |
TRADE AND FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES IN SIDS discussed at FAO Conference
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23 November 2005, Rome -- FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf hosted a one-day Summit of Small Island Developing States aimed at addressing the challenges they face in the context of agricultural trade, food security and the multilateral trading framework. In his meeting with seven Heads of State and Government and some 60 Agriculture Ministers and government officials representing 30 countries,
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Mr. Diouf reiterated support in building national capacity through more integrated agricultural programmes:
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| Duration:
2min.54sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (196 KB)
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mp3 ( 1,398 KB) |
26 November 2005, Rome -- FAO Governing Conference ends with a new budget for the next two years |
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At the end of a week-long Session, the governing Conference of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) voted the food agency a two-year budget appropriation of $765.7 million for its work in 2006–2007. The FAO Secretariat can start a progressive implementation of the Director-General's Reform proposals.
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| FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf's declaration: |
| Duration:
2min.21sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (159 KB)
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mp3 ( 1,131 KB) |
22 November 2005, Rome -- The State of Food Insecurity in the World: FAO issues its annual report |
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The international community is far from reaching its hunger reduction targets and commitments set by the MDGs and the WFS,” wrote FAO Director-General Dr Jacques in the foreword of the report.
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| Mr. Jacques Diouf: |
| Duration:
1min.56sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (131 KB)
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mp3 (922 KB) |
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"External assistance goes to the wrong countries", says Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Department Mr. Hartwig de Haen , commenting the Report
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| Duration:
56sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (64 KB)
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mp3 (445 KB) |
21 November 2005, Rome -- Official opening of FAO governing Conference |
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In his opening statement, newly re-elected FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, reviewed the Organization's main programmes and actions of the recent years, and emphasized its major role in the early warning of food crisis and follow up actions.
Here, about the Avian Influenza:
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Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-Lying Coastal Countries meet in Rome prior to FAO governing Conference |
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Rome, 18 November 2005 -– A major Ministerial Conference on the plight of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-Lying Coastal Countries opened today at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
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In his opening statement, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf announces plans for a donor meeting in favour of SIDS, next January 2006:
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| Duration:
1min.47sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (121 KB)
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mp3 (857 KB) |
Peace encourages investments and allows social and economic development |
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Rome, 23 May 2005 - At the opening of the 31st Session of the FAO Committee on World Food Security, keynote speakers emphasized that peace is essential in the achievement of social and economic development.
The following is an excerpt from statement by FAO Director-General, Mr. Jacques Diouf: "The cost of doing nothing is too high..."
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| Duration:
2min.48sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (188 KB)
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mp3 (1.343 KB) |
Rome, 13 October 2004: Locusts, hurricanes, floods and more. |
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While assessing locust damage on crops, FAO is learning from food crisis management in general.
Listen to FAO Director-General, Dr. Jacques Diouf, at a press conference, in Rome (13 October 2004).
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| Duration:
2min.35sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (175 KB)
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mp3 (1,237 KB) |
Avian flu: a targeted strategy by FAO/OIE/WHO |
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FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf issued the following recommendations following emergency talks between experts representing the three organizations, last February in Rome.
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World Food Day message 2003: International Alliance against Hunger |
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"What is needed is the political will to tackle the underlying causes of hunger in all its manifestations," declares FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf on World Food Day, 16 October.
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| Duration:
2min.2sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (133 KB)
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mp3 (949 KB) |
International Alliance against hunger |
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Director-General of FAO, Dr. Jacques Diouf: "Nations must turn verbal commitment to fight hunger into practical programmes".
Listen to the FAO Director-General:
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| Duration:
3min.33sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (1610 KB)
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mp3 (232 KB) |
Fight against hunger: global and national |
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Addressing the 29th Session of FAO's Committee on World Food Security (Rome, 12-16 May 2003), FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf encouraged actions in the fight against hunger, at national level, with international support and assistance. In particular, he praised the positive steps so far achieved by China and Brazil towards the goal of reducing hunger in their country.
Listen to the FAO Director-General:
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| Duration:
1min.40sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (112 KB)
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mp3 (1170 KB) |
World Water Forum, Kyoto, Japan (March 2003) |
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Preparing for the World Water Forum in Kyoto, FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf gave a few suggestions on how to better manage water resources in rural Africa.
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| Duration:
1min.45sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (117 KB)
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mp3 (830 KB) |
Enhancing partnership: WB-FAO-IFAD-WFP |
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In February 2003, the three Rome-based Food agencies--FAO, IFAD, WFP--and the World Bank, launched new joint initiatives to boost agricultural and rural development. FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf reiterated his determination to work closely with his counterparts towards the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Later, on 1st of March 2004, the three Agency Heads met with French President Jacques Chirac, in Paris.
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| Duration:
2min.59sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (199 KB)
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mp3 (1420 KB) |
FAO-Brazil: Zero Hunger Campaign |
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Brazil's Zero Hunger Project was launched by President Luiz Inàzio Lula da Silva on 30 January 2003. FAO will provide technical support for the programme, which aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. FAO Director-General Dr. Diouf spoke about the project during a press conference in Rome last February 2003.
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| Duration:
2min.9sec. |
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Format:
RealAudio (144 KB)
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mp3 (1050 KB) |
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