Asia-Pacific Governments to Addresss Agriculture and Climate Change Issues at UN FAO Asia-Pacific Regional Conference Next Week
SUVA
Government Ministers and delegates from 46 member countries across the Asia-Pacific region will participate in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) in Nadi next week.
Effects of climate change on food production, the obesity time bomb, nutrition and safer food are some of the important topics to be discussed at 34th Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.
The meeting will be hosted by the Fijian Government at the Sofitel Resort and Spa on Denarau Island from April 9 to 13.
This is the first time in more than two decades that a country in the Pacific has hosted an APRC and the event will provide an opportunity to present issues relating to food and nutrition security that are specific to small island states.
Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu said: “I am looking forward to this ministerial meeting.
“The focus will be on climate change, climate smart agriculture, this ties up well with the COP 23 presidency because we are progressing on the Koronivia work programme for Agriculture.” He highlighted that they would be also look into Fiji and small island states agriculture issues to address during the upcoming meeting.
This meeting gives direction to FAO on priority areas of work across the region (20182019)
Agenda
■The main agenda for his gathering of FAO member countries range from the state of food and agriculture across the Asia and Pacific region, to the rise of obesity in many countries, particularly in Oceania.
■A●o■gside persistent hunger and the need to improve nutrition by investing in food systems that can deliver solutions.
■A special focus will be placed on climate change and extreme weather events, the impacts they are having on agriculture and food production in the region and what can be done to adapt and mitigate the negative effects. Agriculture and fisheries issues affecting Small Island Developing States will also be discussed.
■APRC-34 will bring together some 250 delegates including Government Ministers from countries across the Asia-Pacific region. From Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in the west to the most populace countries and those with the largest economies of South, Southeast and East Asia and those representing the countries of Oceania.
■FAO Director-General, José Graziano DaSilva, will join the Conference and make a keynote speech on April 12.
■It is set within the backdrop of achieving the world’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 on hunger and SDG 1 on poverty, APRC-34 will, inter-alia, examine the way forward to achieve a world free from hunger and with nutritious foods available for all, with Ministerial Roundtables on achieving Zero Hunger and another on Imagining Future Food Systems for a larger population and with limited natural resources.
■There will a three-day Senior Officials meeting followed by two-day Ministerial Session.