To celebrate the "Millésime of the Vigne des Nations" - a vineyard belonging to the State of Geneva - and in the context of the International Year of Soils and the success of Conference, Geneva authorities and FAO LOG hosted a countryside event with local food and music. The plot for the "Vigne des Nations" is dedicated to FAO and will supply 5000 bottles of several varieties of wine. Bottles will have the FAO logo added and be served at official state functions.

The event saw more than a hundred attendees, including ambassadors, high-level UN representatives, the Swiss and Geneva authorities, as well as local smallholders and farming families. Each year, the Republic and Canton of Geneva honours an international organization that contributes to the work of International Geneva. This year FAO's work and activities worldwide were celebrated.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of the State of Geneva noted that honouring FAO has special significance this year as it coincides with the International Year of Soils (IYS): "Land management is a major challenge for the coming decades at global, national and cantonal level," he said, adding that healthy soils are the foundation of healthy food production. Through this symbolic ceremony, he said, "the Republic of Geneva wishes to express its appreciation to FAO for its commitment for preserving soils to ensure food security, promote healthy diets and a sustainable future for all".

Xiangjun Yao, LOG Director thanked authorities and informed the audience about the successful outcomes of Conference. She highlighted the MDG achievements by 72 countries, emphasising at the same time FAO's priorities for the coming years, namely the eradication of hunger, raising levels of nutrition - including the fight against obesity - and addressing climate change.

She also highlighted the local people present and in particular, farmer families, who constitute the backbone of the Swiss agriculture sector beyond food production. "Family farming", she said, "is extremely important in Switzerland but also globally as more than 87 percent of world's farms are run by families, supplying more than 80 percent of the world's food in terms of value."