FAO-Pakistan aligned its 40th anniversary activities with World Food Day (WFD) 2018, whose official celebrations were held at the National Agriculture Research Council with the participation of the newly appointed Minister for National Food Security and Research, as well as other government representatives from various ministries and institutions, donor representatives, NGOs, the media and FAO staff.

FAO Representative Ms Mina Dowlatchahi delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Director-General. She also promoted Pakistan’s Food-based Dietary Guidelines, prepared with FAO, and inaugurated a photo exhibition at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, showcasing the work of professional photographers who visited FAO’s beneficiaries across Pakistan.

In a bid to raise awareness and engage Pakistani youth on #ZeroHunger, a parliamentary debate competition was also organized with Islamabad School Department. High school students from various schools of the capital presented their views on both developed and developing countries’ responsibilities in achieving #ZeroHunger by 2030.

Lastly, FAO-Pakistan and the Centre of Rural Economy of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, co-hosted an Expert Roundtable on the launch of the 2018 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, with two panel discussions focusing on Pakistan carried out with high-level diplomats from FAO’s Member States, academicians and civil society representatives.