HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the 33rd World Food Day (WFD) commemoration at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok on Wednesday 16 October.

The ceremony will be attended by H.E. Yukol Limlamthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Royal Thai Government, senior government officials, members of the Bangkok-based diplomatic corps, as well as representatives from other UN Agencies and civil society organizations.

This World Food Day (WFD) marks the 68th anniversary of FAO’s founding in Quebec City, Canada on 16 October 1945. The theme is Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition. The observance will include a welcome statement by Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.  A keynote speech will be delivered by Dr Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Four model farmers from the Asia-Pacific region will receive awards during the ceremony. The model farmers come from Bhutan, the Philippines, Thailand and Tonga.

INVITATION TO JOURNALISTS AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA:
The official ceremony begins at 09:00 AM and lasts until 10:15 AM (media arrivals no later than 8:30). Following the ceremony, journalists are invited to interview guests, participants and FAO staff.  Refreshments will also be served.

Press Passes should be collected on Wednesday morning 16 October between 08:00 and 08:30 AM immediately before the start of the ceremony at the FAO office in Bangkok upon presentation of a valid press card or a letter of accreditation from the employing news organization. A press kit will be provided.

Venue: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200. Tel (switchboard): 02 697 4000

For reasons of space and security, the following arrangements apply:

• There will be an area to accommodate photographers and cameramen wishing to record the arrival of dignitaries. They must be in place by 08:45 AM.
• Print, radio and TV journalists, photographers and cameramen will be accommodated in the Conference Hall where the ceremony takes place or, alternatively, can follow proceedings by CCTV in the reception hall.

Healthy people depend on healthy food systems