This year sees the 65th anniversary of FAO’s foundation in Quebec, Canada on 16 October 1945. It will be marked in Bangkok by an important event to which the media are invited. Arrangements for the media are described below.

On Monday 18 October HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the 30th World Food Day (WFD) Asia-Pacific observance. The Thai minister of agriculture and cooperatives, other senior Thai government officials, Bangkok based members of the diplomatic corps, UN organizations and civil society will attend the ceremony.

The ceremony will include the presentation of FAO awards to four model farmers (Republic of Korea, Nepal, Thailand and Timor Leste) and a keynote address United against hunger by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The ceremony starts at 09:00 hours and last until 10:15 hours. After the ceremony journalists are invited to join refreshments and have the opportunity to interview guests, participants and FAO staff.

Press Passes should be collected on Monday morning 18 October between 08:00 and 08:30 hours 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 employer. A press kit will be provided to each journalist attending the celebration.

For reasons of space and security, the following arrangements will 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 hours.
• 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.

Contact: Diderik de Vleeschauwer, Information Officer,
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
[email protected], (662) 697-4124/6


More information at:
http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/