@FAO-RNE Issam Azouri and @EPAE - scenes from the WFD2016 celebration in UAE

On the occasion of World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) had a very successful celebration in United Arab Emirates, at the Islamic Botanical Garden in Sharjah. The event was organised by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) and reflected WFD 2016 theme: “The Climate is Changing – Food and Agriculture must too.”

Mr. Nabil Gangi, the acting representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the United Arab Emirates inaugurated the event along with H.E. Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA). They planted together at the entrance of the garden, along with five young people with disabilities.

Mr. Gangi said in his opening remarks: “we are pleased to participate in this unique celebration at the Islamic Botanic Garden in Sharjah, and we thank the organizers for their efforts. We were particularly glad to see young students participating actively at the activities related to the World Food Day, we offered them their first gardening sets so they can become young farmers, caring about agriculture and growing plants.”

He added: “the organisers honoured us by giving us the opportunity to broadcast the official message of FAO Director-General José Graziano Da Silva on the occasion of WFD2016, the first time that a high level speech is delivered at the first Islamic garden in the world. I was glad to note how the message was well received and how the need to change our approach to agriculture and food in order to address the climate change challenges was understood among the participants.”
In addition to the official display of WFD2016 publications, FAO offered a workshop for more than 100 students, explaining to them the importance of this years’ theme, and allowing them to participate by drawing and colouring FAO provided children’s books inspired by WFD theme. All children were offered also their first gardening tools.

Commenting on the event, H.E. Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) said: “By celebrating World Food Day with FAO, we have tried to raise awareness among employees and visitors about the importance of nutrition and food to keep hunger and malnutrition at bay. We also aim to be able to face climate change with sustainable agriculture and the wise use of natural resources such as soil, water and air.”

The World Food Day event attracted a lot of employees and visitors, namely school students. Moreover, trainers and experts contributed in the activities and programs that were offered, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment and preserving its sustainability.