Press Release

FAO, Ministry of Agriculture Mark World Food Day

YEREVAN, 16 2009 – The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture of marked today the World Food Day by awarding medals to five representatives of the Armenian food and agricultural sector for their great contribution in this field.

On behalf of FAO Representative in Armenia Ms. Fernanda Guerieri, United Nations Acting Resident Coordinator in Armenia Ms. Bushra Halepota presented silver and bronze medals to Mr. Mikhail Grigoryan, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Ruben Karakhanyan, Director of the Gyumri Selection Station SCJSC, Armen Gasparyan, Director of Proshyan Winery, Armenak Aslanyan, Director of “Gold-Grape Armas” Ltd and Gagik Sardaryan, Director of Centre for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD).

“Achieving in Times of Crisis” is the key message of this year’s World Food Day that raises the imperative of mobilizing global efforts to help countries most affected by the economic and financial crisis and sustaining investments in the food and agriculture sector.

“It is vital, particularly in times of crisis, that support to agriculture not be reduced. Only a healthy agricultural sector, combined with a growing non-farm economy and effective safety nets and social protection programmes will be sufficient to face the global recession as well as eradicate food insecurity and poverty, “ FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf stressed in his statement on the World Food Day, adding that achieving food security must be a global priority.

On 19 October FAO will also organise a special event “Harvest and Yield in Our Marz” for children where students of school No.5 of Artashat will participate in a fair of fruits and vegetables and traditional dishes, drawing exhibition as well as sports contests and games.

Background: The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been marking the World Food Day annually since 16 October 1945, the day FAO was founded.

The objectives of the World Food Day are as follows:

• Encourage the attention towards food production and promote the national, bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental efforts in this direction; • Encourage economic and technical cooperation between developing countries; • Encourage rural residents, especially women and the vulnerable groups, when making decisions and taking actions affecting their living conditions; • Raise the public awareness in the world on the problem of ; • Promote the transfer of technologies to the developing world; • Strengthen the national and international solidarity in combating hunger, underfeeding and poverty, draw attention to the achievements of food and agricultural development.