EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL 27TH TWO-DAY CONFERENCE OF THE UN FAO STARTED TODAY IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
MAY 13, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS: Europe and Central Asia Regional 27th
two-day conference of the UN FAO started today in Yerevan.

Representatives of the 53 member countries of FAO as well as
representatives of organizations functioning in the region, observers,
from UN specialized agencies and international financing establishments
participate in the event. During the conference the results of the
activity of the organization during the recent years and the plan of
actions will be pointed out. Representatives of the agricultural sphere
will discuss such issues like the impact of the financial-economic
crisis on the agriculture, issues on climate change, management of
water resources, cattle breeding and bio-conditions in rural areas.

Minister of Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdyan in his opening speech
highlighted the organization of the conference which is being conducted
in Armenia for the first time. He noted that the discussions conducted
during the conference will enable develop effective mechanisms for
confronting agricultural challenges. Greeting all the participants
of the conference the minister wished them fruitful and effective work.

The General Director of FAO Jacques Diouf noted that it is a great
honor for him to be in Armenia. He said the priority of the activity of
the organization is the reduction of poverty and famine. In 2009 the
number of undernourished people increased with 105 million reaching 1
billion. He noted that progress is being registered in the direction
of reduction of the number of undernourished people in Europe and
Central Europe.

"The history shows that there is no other effective mechanism directed
toward the reduction of poverty then the investments in the sphere
of agriculture," the general director said. In his opinion it is
necessary to unite for reduction of poverty and famine. "It is time
to pass from word to work," he pointed out.

Azerbaijani delegation was also participating in the conference headed
by the Agriculture Minister Ismat Abasov who was born in Armenia and
knows Armenian.