Fiji to Host the 34th FAO Conference

For the first time, Fiji will be hosting the 34th Food and Agriculture Organisation Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in April next year. Ministers from over 40 countries will be part of the Conference with around 500 participants expected to attend the event.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations assistant director general Kundhavi Kadiresan paid a courtesy visit to the country yesterday to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu for the regional conference.

The 34th Asia Pacific Regional Conference will be held from April 9 to 13 next year along with the Asia Pacific Statistical Conference in Nadi. Ms Kadiresan said the Asia Pacific Statistical Conference will emphasise on policies, data and statistics which are all important in any country in terms of the interventions and programmes that FAO designs. According to Mr Seruiratu, this is the first time that a country from the Pacific region will host the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. He added that Fiji will also have the opportunity to influence the agenda, drawing particular attention to issues of importance to Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries. “Hosting an international conference with high ranking Ministers and officials from Asia and the Pacific is an opportunity to demonstrate that Fiji has excellent facilities and good logistics to host international conference, adding to Fiji’s reputation as a destination for international conference,” said Mr Seruiratu.

“Over the past 45 years, FAO and the Government of Fiji have cooperated in almost every field for FAO’s endeavour. “The opening of the FAO Office in this building represents an opportunity to strengthen the association in what is a two-way flow of benefits.

“Fiji supports FAO’s mandate and looks forward to a greater contribution from FAO to the challenges facing Fiji and the Pacific in addressing food and nutrition security.”

A total of $1million has been allocated to the Ministry to host the Conference next year.

FAO had donated US$1.3 million ($0.48m) for postTropical Cyclone Winston.

Photo: Shratika Naidu Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu with his team during a talanoa session with rice farmers at the Rewa Rice Limited mill in Dreketi, Vanua Levu earlier this year.