FAO-Nepal and the national World Food Day (WFD) Committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, convened an official ceremony in November 2017. Participants included ministers, donors and UN partners, as well as 98 farmers and farmers’ organizations who were awarded by the Minister for Agricultural Development with special prizes and a letter of appreciation for their outstanding performance. Speaking at the ceremony, the FAOR Dr Somsak Pipoppinyo noted that hunger, poverty, disasters and extreme climate events are key drivers contributing to migration in many developing and least developed countries. In 2018, FAO-Nepal capitalized again on its WFD activities to mark its 40th anniversary. Major activities were carried out such as a reception with 150 dignitaries hosted by the FAOR, a walkathon in the streets of Lalitpur, a radio message on Radio Nepal delivered by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, a cash prizes and certificates of appreciation ceremony to award 16 farmers for their work, as well as a film reflecting FAO-Nepal’s major achievements over the past 40 years.  

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and FAO-Viet Nam marked the 38th World Food Day and celebrated the 40th anniversary of FAO in the country. This year’s World Food Day message “Our actions are our future. A Zero Hunger world by 2030 is possible” is also at the heart of FAO’s mandate in Viet Nam, with action to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all an important area of work for FAO since it began operations in the country in 1978.World Food Day and its Zero Hunger goal also reflect the spirit of FAO and the Government's fruitful partnership over the past four decades to transform the country from a large net food importer to the world’s third largest exporter of rice and ensure its population now has access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. This dual event in Ha Noi was attended by MARD Vice Minister Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, FAO Representative in Viet Nam Mr. Albert T. Lieberg, leaders and representatives from MARD, representatives from UN organizations, donors and IOs. At the event, the importance of partnerships to achieve Zero Hunger on global and national scales was underlined, especially with world hunger on the rise again and the number of undernourished people having increased in 2017 for the third consecutive year. Last year, 821 million people suffered from hunger - 11 percent of the world’s population or one-in-nine people on the planet. Meanwhile, other forms of malnutrition have also increased, with at least 1.5 billion people in 2017 having suffered from micronutrient deficiencies that undermined their health and lives. “A world without hunger seemed to be a utopia for humankind until recently. However, unprecedented economic development over the last two decades in many parts of the world has opened up the possibility to realistically achieving this goal in the near future,” said the FAO Representative in Viet Nam.In response, FAO urges all stakeholders to work collaboratively to achieve Zero Hunger goals, with public and private investments, risk-informed policies and interventions to ensure the poor and most vulnerable benefit from growth and employment opportunities.Importantly, Zero Hunger is also key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Many SDGs, such as quality education and good health for all, cannot be achieved without first eliminating hunger. Food and agriculture also lie at the heart of the 2030 Agenda to end poverty, hunger and malnutrition to sustain natural resources and respond to climate change.“Agricultural development is considered the most effective solution to Zero Hunger and poverty reduction initiatives in Viet Nam, which make a contribution to the SDG on ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture,” said Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, Vice Minister of MARD. These goals are also key features of FAO’s current work in Viet Nam and build on the solid foundations set during the 40 years of FAO engagement in the country. Having entered Viet Nam soon after a period of conflict that had devastated the nation’s physical, economic and institutional capital, FAO quickly became an important partner and main contributor of agricultural sector technical assistance. This partnership has seen FAO play leading roles in the implementation of almost 500 projects to support hunger eradication, poverty reduction, ensure food and nutrition security in areas such as crop production, animal husbandry, animal and plant health, forestry and fisheriesWhile significant progress has been achieved, Viet Nam still faces key challenges to ensure food and nutrition security - especially in isolated areas, while climate change and natural disasters are becoming increasingly critical threats.  Against this backdrop, FAO support and technical assistance will continue to play integral roles in helping Viet Nam deliver a more prosperous future for its population through sustainable agriculture, green growth and improved livelihoods.“The people of Viet Nam are an extraordinary example of a success story both in nation and economy building. Nevertheless, we need to be very cautious and always remain on top of the current agenda of constantly changing parameters, in particular the accelerating impact of climate change that is provoking serious challenges for our lives and livelihoods as well as the increasing complexity of trade, nationally and globally,” said Mr. Lieberg.Going forward, FAO remains committed to supporting Viet Nam to achieve the 2030 Development Agenda and SDGs as well as remain fully responsive to country changes in the field of agriculture and rural development, including broader regional and global issues. For more information, please contact: - Ms. Bui My Binh, International Cooperation Department, MARD at [email protected] Ms. Vu Thi Ngoc Diep, FAO Representation in Viet Nam at [email protected]

FAO-Guyana’s 40th anniversary celebrations coincided with the 2018 World Food Day Annual Exhibition and Fair, jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. This is the country’s largest food fair which takes place annually on 16 October in Guyana. This year’s event culminated with a celebratory cake in observance of the 40th Anniversary of the Guyana country office. It featured WFD cultural displays from children and artists, with the participation of Guyana’s major agricultural entities and enterprises which presented their work in contributing to a #ZeroHunger generation. The opening ceremony saw the attendance of the President of Guyana, government ministers, members of the diplomatic community and other UN agencies. Opening remarks were delivered by the Ministers of Agriculture and Health, with feature address by the FAO Representative, Mr. Reuben Robertson.

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.

This year’s World Food Day (WFD) was once again a success, with many celebrations and events staged worldwide. Many decentralized offices contributed to promote both #ZeroHunger and the 40th Anniversary of Country Representations’ global initiative.   FAO-Pakistan, among many other county offices, aligned its 40th anniversary activities with 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. FAO-Guyana’s 40th anniversary celebrations coincided with the 2018 WFD Annual Exhibition and Fair, jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. This is the country’s largest food fair which takes place annually on 16 October in Guyana. This year’s event culminated with a celebratory cake in observance of the 40th Anniversary of the Guyana country office. It featured WFD cultural displays from children and artists, with the participation of Guyana’s major agricultural entities and enterprises which presented their work in contributing to a #ZeroHunger generation.  The opening ceremony saw the attendance of the President of Guyana, government ministers, members of the diplomatic community and other UN agencies. Opening remarks were delivered by the Ministers of Agriculture and Health, with feature address by the FAO Representative, Mr. Reuben Robertson. FAO-Viet Nam was joined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to celebrate both World Food Day (WFD) 2018 and the 40th anniversary of FAO Country Representation. The event in Ha Noi brought together a wide a range of partners including representatives from the government, UN organizations and donors to toast the 40th anniversary and the 38th WFD in the country. Speakers recalled the need to work collaboratively to achieve #ZeroHunger, through public and private investments, risk-informed policies and interventions, ensuring that the most vulnerable benefit from growth and employment opportunities. During the ceremony, the MARD also presented a medal for the Rural Development Cause awarded to FAO-Viet Nam current and former staff, who have been supporting field projects for more than 20 years. A seminar was also held at the Viet Nam Forestry University to mark this special day. FAO-Nepal and the national World Food Day (WFD) Committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, convened an official ceremony in November 2017. Participants included ministers, donors and UN partners, as well as 98 farmers and farmers’ organizations who were awarded by the Minister for Agricultural Development with special prizes and a letter of appreciation for their outstanding performance. Speaking at the ceremony, the FAOR Dr Somsak Pipoppinyo noted that hunger, poverty, disasters and extreme climate events are key drivers contributing to migration in many developing and least developed countries. In 2018, FAO-Nepal capitalized again on its WFD activities to mark its 40th anniversary. Major activities were carried out such as a reception with 150 dignitaries hosted by the FAOR, a walkathon in the streets of Lalitpur, a radio message on Radio Nepal delivered by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, a cash prizes and certificates of appreciation ceremony to award 16 farmers for their work, as well as a film reflecting FAO-Nepal’s major achievements over the past 40 years.    

FAO celebrated today the 40th anniversary of the Organization’s field presence in Europe and Central Asia with a side event exhibit “Global Goals, Localized Action - Celebrating 40 Years of FAO Field Presence in Europe and Central Asia”, staged as part of the 31st session of FAO Regional Conference for Europe (Voronezh, Russian Federation). Delegates gathered around the exhibit space for the opening, immediately following the Regional Conference’s ceremonial inauguration. Protagonists of the event were the Director-General, and Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture H.E. Armen Harutyunyan, who both delivered a statement. The exhibit also incorporated a video with an extensive cycle of historic photos illustrating FAO’s field work in Europe and Central Asia during the last decades. While the permanent presence of FAO through country representations in Europe and Central Asia is more recent than for the other regions, the Organization’s first projects in Europe and Central Asia were implemented 40 years ago, as from 1977.

FAO-Egypt celebrated its 40th anniversary highlighting its achievements and successes over the years while identifying future cooperation prospects with the Government of Egypt. The celebration was attended by a number of ministers, senior government officials, ambassadors, experts, academics and farmers as well as representatives of international organizations, donors and media. These included HE Dr. Abdul Moneim Al Banna, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; H.E. Ghada Wali, Minister of Social Solidarity; Hamdy Loza, Deputy Foreign Minister; Richard Dictus, UN Resident coordinator in Egypt; Pasquale Steduto, Regional Strategic Program Coordinator for the Near East and North Africa Region and Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative in Egypt.

FAO celebrated today the 40th anniversary of nine Country Representations in the Near East and North Africa region with the opening of a photo exhibition in the FAO building.  

FAO today hailed 40 years of close on-the-ground presence and support to ten of its member countries in Asia and the Pacific.

FAO-Indonesia celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a photo exhibition on the ten most important FAO programmes in the country of the last seven decades, films screening and a World Food Day awards ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism in Jakarta. The Minister of Environment and Forestry attended the 40th anniversary and 70  years partnership celebrations, along with other high-level officials, ambassadors, donors, and journalists. On the occasion, the Minister of Environment and Forestry highlighted the Government's close collaboration with FAO since the 1950’s, in areas ranging from forest industry development to forest planning and management, fuelwood development, nature conservation and National Park development. Read the full text.