Participants in the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Regional ministerial Conference for the Near East expressed Friday commitment to honoring food security objectives, and called for paying more attention to conditions of occupied Palestine and Syrian Golan Heights.

Conferees approved a declaration at the end of their meeting in which they pledge to address hunger and improve food security in the world in general and Near East region in particular.

They commended FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva's instructions to launch a strategic initiative to supporting FAO actions.

The Near East countries pledged to encourage thus increase agricultural investments, said the declaration, and said they would seek involvement of civil society organizations and private sector to address agricultural development obstacles.

Iraqi minister of agriculture Izz Al-Din Al-Dawla, at a joint news conference with da Silva, said Baghdad was supporting agricultural development and food security.

Da Silva commended the spirit of harmony among conferees "at the time that we need rapid steps" to addressing hunger and food security issues.
"Guaranteeing food security means more security and less conflicts," he said.

The conferees, meanwhile, called on member countries to exchange information, planning and expertise to address common food and agricultural challenges.

Regarding the occupied areas, the Iraqi agriculture minister said there was "lack of action" towards people in occupied Palestine and Golan Heights because of "weak capabilities" of FAO.