FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and Meiji University have a history of close collaboration. FAO-RAP represents FAO in Asia and the Pacific region, and has a long experience in hosting interns from various universities in Asia and in providing lectures and orientations to groups of visitors from universities worldwide, including those from Meiji University. In 2014, such long standing collaboration was formalized under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FAO and Meiji University, which was signed in early 2014.

         Within the framework of the partnership between FAO and Meiji University, FAO-RAP, Meiji University, Kasetsart University and Srinakarinwirot University will jointly organize a student-led model UN Conference. The Conference will be held on 12 September at FAO-RAP Main Conference Room. The theme of this year is "Climate change and challenges for agriculture in Asia and the Pacific" with subtheme 1: enhancing the resilience and productivity of small farmers and subtheme 2: contribution to the mitigation of climate change. This year’s theme was particularly recommended by FAO given this year’s World Food Day theme and the RAP’s recent focus on Climate Change as key strategic direction.

         The main purpose of the Conference is twofold. First is to raise awareness amongst the students on the global common development goals which FAO is mandated to address – the eradication of hunger and poverty, and the importance of the link between food security and the sustainable management of natural resources. Secondly the Conference will provide an opportunity for students to simulate an international policy dialogue at UN level and to expose themselves at UN multi-cultural environment.

         For the purpose above, the Conference will be entirely organised by the students themselves. 6 country representative teams are formed, composed of the students from the participating universities, and they will act as the delegates of selected countries (from FAO Member Countries in Asia and the Pacific). The chair person will also be elected from the students, and the Declaration will be presented at the end of the Conference.

         FAO technical officer(s) are expected to comment the presentations made by the students, and provide brief presentation of FAO’s engagement to the theme of the Conference, as a part of advocacy work of FAO.