LOGE: Recent Events and Activities

16 March 2012: Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) Meeting in Ispra, Italy

FAO gathered a group of foresters and forest-related professionals from various countries and organizations to a one-week meeting to discuss scope, modalities and organization of the future Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), which will take place 2015. The meeting was arranged in the premises of the European Commission (EC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy, on 12.-16.3.2012.

Argentina, Australia, Brasilia, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Senegal, US and Zambia were all represented at the meeting. Along with the national correspondents experts coming from the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section, FOREST EUROPE, CBD, UNFF, UNFCCC, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, ITTO, IUCN, PEFC International, EC and the World Bank Group took part in the consultation. The target was to cover 80% of the world’s forests by country participation, which was almost reached.

The meeting started with FRA team leader, Kenneth MacDicken’s opening statement: “You’re amongst friends”, which truly reflected the general feeling of the meeting. In addition to presentations of the current situation of the planning process for next FRA the importance of communications aspect to further develop next FRA to better meet the users’ needs was brought to audience’s attention. The meeting was also a good opportunity for acquainting participants with the JRC activities.

Most of the week was preserved for working groups that included topics related to: (1) Forests area, type, function, (2) Stock (volume, biomass, carbon), (3) Protective functions and ecosystem services, (4) Biodiversity/Conservation, (5) Disturbance and degradation (6) Measuring progress to SFM, (7) Economics and livelihoods (8) Joint data collection/exchange plan (9) Projections, and (10) Remote sensing. The week ended to a joint session of presentations of working groups' recommendations followed by a plenary discussion.

The work on individual topics will be continued in FAO during 2012, with the group moderators and other interested to finalize the drafts produced in the meeting. It is expected that next questionnaires will be ready at the end of the year and national data collection process will be concluded by the end of 2013. The consultation confirmed the value of the cooperation among the FAO and regional reporting processes. Involved organizations intend to work together on the preparation of Collaborative Forest Resources Questionnaire (CFRQ), collection, analysis and dissemination of information.

The country representatives found the meeting extremely useful, and the main message to carry home was a better understanding of the importance of the FRA as a global information platform.

25 January 2012: FAO's Work in Afghanistan regarding Nutrition

FAO Geneva organized a briefing by Charlotte Dufour, Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division, FAO Rome, at the Palais des Nations, Room IX, on "Nutrition as an entry point to bridge the emergency/development gap: lessons learnt from Afghanistan". Representatives from various governments, international organizations, NGOs, and the academic sphere attended the session.

Information on the Session:
Opening and welcome: 15:00
Session start time: 15:15
Closing: 16:30
Moderator: Silvano Sofia, External Relations Officer, FAO Office in Geneva

Background Information:
Afghanistan's recontruction and development efforts are undermined by persisting high rates of malnutrition, with over half of children under 5 suffering from chronic malnutrition, up to 70% of mothers and children affected by micronutrient deficiencies, and one third of the population chronically food insecure. Since 2002, FAO has been working with other UN agencies (namely WHO, UNICEF and WFP) to support the government of Afghanistan in developing its capacity to design and implement strategies of sustainable improvements in nutrition. Working primarily with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock on agriculture-nutrition linkages, FAO has also contributed to strengthening inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaboration for nutrition at policy and field levels, through inter-ministerial initiatives and UN Joint Programmes.

The briefing was an opportunity to discuss lessons learnt on multi-sectoral collaboration on nutrition and mainstreaming nutrition in agriculture, as well as on the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from relief to development in a context of continuing political instability.

18 October 2011: World Food Day 2011 - FAO Event

On the occasion of World Food Day, FAO Office in Geneva, with the support of the University of Geneva, organized the screening of the Movie Last Supper for Malthus followed by a panel discussion on “The challenges for food security: the implications of high food prices on food security”.

Invitation

Interview with Tribune de Genève

Article written by Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director, FAO Office in Geneva: "Food Prices, from Crisis to Stability" - UN Special Magazine, November 2011
Information on the session:

18:30: opening and welcome/introductory remarks:
- Jean-Dominique Vassalli, Director of the University of Geneva
- Olivier Coutau, Délégué à la Genève internationale, Republic and Canton of Geneva
18:45: screening start time
19:45: start time of the panel discussion
21:00: closing
Round table:
Moderator:
Xavier Colin, journalist at the Swiss French Television (TSR)
Panellists:
Klaus Pas, Film-maker
Coast Sullenger, Film Producer
Cécile Molinier, Director, UNDP Geneva
Jean Ziegler, former Special rapporteur for the right to food
Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director, FAO Office in Geneva

17 October 2011: Opening of the Exhibition "FAO and WFP Fighting Hunger together: From Food Crisis to Stability" on the occasion of World Food Day - Palais des Nations, Building E, Door 40, Mezzanine - 17 Oct. - 11 Nov. 2011

Interview with the FAO Director in Geneva at the opening of the exhibition (Leman Bleu Television) - minute 11:50

Invitation

6 July 2011: ECOSOC High-Level Segment: FAO Side Event in collaboration with UNESCO, WFP, ILO, and DESA

"Unleashing the potential of rural people through education and training for food security" was the theme of the luncheon discussion. The objective of the side event was to raise awareness among Governments and other stakeholders about the importance of investing in education and training for rural people to achieve all of the MDGs, especially MDG 1, 2 and 3. Agriculture can play indeed a significant role in reducing poverty. The side event also served as a platform to discuss key issues such as policies and financing needed to overcome the urban-rural knwoledge barrier and education gap, the access to education and skills training for rural children and youth, the quality of education in rural areas, and a better access of rural women to education. Innovative approaches including curriculum reform, to match rural employment prospects, distance learning and life-long learning, school feeding, non formal education and application of the ICTs, were shared during the session.

Welcome Remarks by Mr. Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of the FAO Liaison Office, Geneva

Introductory Remarks by the Chair, H.E. Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid MP, Minister for Education, People's Republic of BangladeshRemarks by H.E. Mr. Brian Bowler, P.R. of the Republic of Malawi to the UN in New York

Presentation by Mr. Qian Tang, Assistant Director General of UNESCO, speaking on behalf of the co-sponsors

Malawi Country Case Presentation by Mr. Charles Mazinga, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at the Department of School Health, Nutrition, HIV and AIDS, the Republic of Malawi

Presentation by H.E. Mr. Mario Chacon, Director General for International Relations, Ministry of Education, Mexico

27 May 2011: Joint ICTSD/FAO Seminar on Securing Food in Volatile Markets

On May 27th, The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and FAO organized a joint full-day seminar entitled "Securing Food in Volatile Markets - How can Trade Policy help?". The session brought together WTO negotiators, academics, and analysts working in the field of trade and food security as well as representatives of international organizations and NGOs. The discussion took as its starting point an overview of price volatility and its causes. The role of export prohibitions and the increasing use of basic food commodities for biofuel production were highlighted.

This was followed by possible options for coping with price volatility including market based instruments for managing risks, food reserves, and targeted safety nets for poor households. The seminar was concluded with a discussion on ways of improving the governance of food security and trade, bearing in mind ongoing initiatives in this area, notably those under the auspices of the G-20 in collaboration with the relevant multilateral organizations.

16 May 2011: Executive Course on Food Security and Climate Change Organized by the GCSP and the Graduate Institute

For the 6th consecutive year, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) organized jointly with the support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs an executive course on multilateralism focusing on the following topic: "The Shifting Geopolitics of the Multilateral System: Actors, Strategies, Policies". The session brought together diplomats from different countries as well as representatives of various international organizations.

In this context, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, participated in the session making a presentation on the interactions between food security and climate change based on past experience and identified threats in the future as well as opportunities for win-win outcomes. Jean-Louis Arcand, Professor in Economics at the Graduate Institute and Stephen Hale from Oxfam International, were the two other panellists.

15 May 2011: Interview on the Swiss Television (TSR) and TV5Monde on Food Price Volatility

As part of the broadcast "Geopolitis" on the Swiss French Television (TSR) and TV5Monde, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, responded to questions related to the topic of food price volatility. The interview focused more specifically on the price of wheat. The objective was to explain the increase of crop prices in general. Are we facing a new food security crisis? "Geopolitis" aimed at analyzing the mechanics of food price fluctuations.

Click here to watch the broadcast and to get more information on this topic

12 May 2011: Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction - World Reconstruction Thematic Session

"Reviving of Livelihoods and Local Economy"
As part of the World Bank World Reconstruction Conference being held during the third Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Geneva International Conference Center, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of Geneva FAO Liaison Office, made a presentation on reviving agriculture livelihood in post disaster contexts, focusing on the need to instigate multi-faceted strategies that address immediate needs along side the implementation of medium and long term activities. Using examples of FAO's work in the field in Bangladesh, Haiti and Zambia, the emphasis was on innovative approaches and methodologies, community-based capacity building and sustainable partnerships with local and national actors. In each case FAO's strategy of engaging in the entire response continuum, for preparedness through to development was highlighted.

The session was facilitated by Tara Vishwanath, Lead Economist, Poverty Reduction, Middle East and North Africa Region, World Bank.

Click here to have some background information

12 April 2011: Geneva Center for Security Policy: Training on Food Security

On Wednesday 12 April 2011, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, made a presentation at the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) on Food Security in the 21st Century, in the context of GCSP’s annual flagship training on various issues related to security. He talked about FAO's perspective and policy options to feeding the world.

The session brought together members of presidential cabinet, diplomats, and military experts from Europe and the Middle East with the objective to identify solutions to food insecurity considering the multi-faceted nature of it - including availability, access and utilization - that are most relevant to policymakers and planners. The discussion took as its starting point the premise that food insecurity is the result of a convergence of negative political, economic, and social influences rather than a technical problem of lack of food.

6 April 2011: World Health Day

Drug resistance is becoming more severe and many infections are no longer easily cured, leading to prolonged and expensive treatment and greater risk of death. On World Health Day and under the theme "Combat Drug Resistance", WHO calls for urgent and concerted action by governments, health professionals, industry and civil society and patients to slow down the spread of drug resistance, limit its impact today and preserve medical advances for future generations.
Collaboration between human and animal health and agriculture professionals is vital, as the use of antibiotics in food animal production contributes to increased drug resistance. Approximately half of current antibiotic production is used in agriculture, to promote growth and prevent disease as well as to treat sick animals. With such massive use, those drug resistant microbes generated in animals can be later transferred to humans.

At the high level panel convened by WHO on April 6^th, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, made a statement on behalf of Modibo Traore, FAO Assistant Director-General, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, highlighting that the antimicrobial resistance is an issue of extreme importance to FAO, in relation to its mandate to promote food security in a globalized world while ensuring that food production practices meet the required safety standards. He added that antimicrobial resistance has become an emerging global public health issue and concerted actions are required to minimize and contain its emergence spread. In this regard, WHO, FAO and OIE play important roles. At a national level, he said, FAO calls for measures to strengthen the regulation of manufacture, imports, authorization, registration, distribution and usage of veterinary antimicrobial drugs; and systems for monitoring and surveillance of trends and patterns of antimicrobial resistance and the quantities of antimicrobials used.
Click here to see the video

21 March 2011: World Forest Day of the International Year of Forests

To celebrate the World Forest Day of the International Year of Forests, on 21 March 2011, the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section held a tree planting ceremony in the “Parc Ariana” which surrounds the Palais des Nations.

A tulip tree from the “Art of Trees: A Forest Gallery” exhibit was planted by distinguished guests including the Executive Secretary of UNECE, Mr. Ján Kubiš, the Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN, Ambassador Betty E. King, the Permanent Representative of Finland to the UN, Ambassador Hannu Himanen, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, Mr. Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, and Mr. Clemens Adams from the UN Office. As a symbolic gesture, messages for future generations from each of the distinguished guests were collected and buried in a “time capsule” at the foot of the tree. In their remarks to the attendees, speakers touched upon the importance of forests’ contribution to economic and social wellbeing.

11 March 2011: International Women’s Week

FAO side-event: Women in Agriculture: closing the gender gap (based on FAO’s State of Food and Agriculture 2010-11 - SOFA)

FAO together with partners and experts launched on March 7^th the edition of its flagship report, the State of Food and Agriculture 2010–11 (SOFA) on Women in Agriculture: closing the gender gap for development. For the first time in 25 years, new figures were released showing the cost of gender inequality to agricultural productivity and the fight against hunger.

As part of the International Women’s Week held in Geneva and under the auspices of the Human Rights Council session, FAO Liaison Office organized a press conference as well as a high level panel discussion on Friday 11 March 2011 (Palais des Nations) on SOFA findings with the support of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Discussions featured Elizabeth Prügl, Vice Director and Professor at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Magdi Farahat, Representative of the Economic Commission for Africa in Geneva, and Marcela Villarreal, Director of the Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division of FAO (Rome). Talks focused on the impact of customary norms on the rights of women in agriculture and the challenges these pose to compliance with the law, as well as on the consequences of international trade on rural women.

In a news article published in the Tribune de Genève (March 7th), Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Director of FAO Liaison Office, pointed out FAO’s advocacy for greater political will to empower women and its recommendation that developing countries dedicate 10% of their budget to agriculture.
Click here to see article
Background information:

“The agricultural sector is underperforming in many developing countries, and one of the key reasons is that women in agriculture do not have equal access to the resources to be more productive, including land, credit, education, extension services and technology”.

Women make crucial contributions in agriculture and rural development in all regions, as farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. Their roles vary but, everywhere, women face gender-specific constraints that reduce their productivity and limit their contributions to agricultural production, economic growth and the well-being of their families, communities and countries.

Women face a serious gender gap in agriculture. They control less land than men and their land is often of lesser quality and insecure tenure. Women also frequently do not control the income from the typically small animals they manage and can use less credit. Finally, they have less education and access to extension services which make it difficult to use other resources, such as land and fertilizer.

While presenting some potential policy responses, SOFA underlines the link between closing the gender gap and achieving the fight against hunger and extreme poverty that cannot be won without gender equality and women’s empowerment in agriculture. It clearly confirms that the Millennium Development Goals on gender equality (MDG 3) and poverty and food security (MDG 1) are mutually reinforcing.

Click here to read more on that topic

Information on the session:
Moderator: Stéphane Bussard, Le Temps

Panellists:
- Elizabeth Prügl, Vice Director and Professor at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva
- Magdi Farahat, Representative of the Economic Commission for Africa in Geneva and former P.R. of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the WTO
- Marcela Villarreal, Director, Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division, FAO, Rome