World Food Day 2009Working together to achieve food and

nutrition security in Lao PDR

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, National Science Council and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

invite your organization to take part in World Food Day celebrations, Friday 16 October

A World Food Day Expo will be held at the National Cultural Hall in Vientiane Exhibition stalls are available for organizations to showcase their work on the

issues of nutrition, food security and agriculture

Contact FAO by email to reserve a stall free of chargeLarissa.bruun@fao.org, Noelle.ibarra@fao.org

World Food Day 2009

A Quick look at the World Food Day Event

Lao National Cultural Hall

On October 16th at 8.00 am, more than 1,000 people gathered together at the National Cultural Hall in Vientiane Capital to observe World Food Day and Poverty Eradication Day 2009.

The celebrations were co-hosted by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, National Leading Committee on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, National Science Council, Prime Minister’s Office and three UN agencies – Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Development Programme and World Food Programme.

H.E. the Prime Minister and the UN Resident Coordinator spoke at the celebration, the audience Stood Up Against Poverty, and then a three day expo to promote the work against hunger and poverty was officially launched.

Text in quotation are excerpts from the speech of Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, United Nations Resident Coordinator on 16 October 2009.

Left-Right: Ms Karin Manente, WFP Representative, Mr Serge Vernaiu, FAO Representative, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator, HE Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister, HE Onneau Phommachanh, President of the National Leading Committee on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, HE Prof. Dr. Bounthiem Phissamay, President of National Science Council, Prime Minister’s Office and HE Sitaheng Rasphone, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Poverty and hunger remain wide-spread global issues and will continue to do so.

Addressing these problems require joint actions of the international community. - His Excellency Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of Lao PDR

Invited guests during the launching ceremony

Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, United Nations Resident Coordinator

“Food insecurity and malnutrition are both outcomes and causes of poverty. Hunger perpetuates poverty and hunger makes people more vulnerable to diseases. Chronically malnourished children cannot develop their physical and intellectual potential and this affects their chances throughout the rest of their life.”

“It is now widely recognized in Lao PDR that food security and good nutrition are central to development and poverty reduction. The ratification of the International Covenant on Socio-Economic and Social Rights in February 2007 was a first and important step, and was followed by the adoption of the National Nutrition Policy in December last year. “

Mr Serge Vernaiu, Food and Agriculture Organization Representative

Government officials, United Nations agencies, International Non-Government Organizations, diplomatic corps, and university students.

Lao PDR Standing-up against poverty

“I compliment the Lao government on the decision to combine the observations of World Food Day and tomorrow’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in this one event, as food security and nutrition contribute to the eradication of poverty and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Ribbon-Cutting CeremonyHE Onneau Phommachanh, President of the National Leading Committee on Rural Development and Poverty EradicationMs Sonam Yangchen Rana, United Nations Resident Coordinator

“Our theme for today is working together to achieve food and nutrition security in the Lao PDR. Together, we will also in a few minutes stand up against poverty to highlight our common commitment and mark our efforts as part of a global commitment.”

Government officials, diplomatic corps, and development partners.

“Agricultural activities are the main source of livelihood of the households living in the rural areas and give primary employment to about 80% of the country’s labour force. At the same time the rural populations are hardest hit by malnutrition.

Since Lao PDR’s poverty is concentrated in rural areas, improving agriculture, maintaining biodiversity and increasing knowledge about health and nutrition would be the most effective ways to achieve the Millennium Development Goal to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.”

World Food Programme booth Organic Farmers Group in Vientiane CapitalInsect sampling at the Food and Agriculture Organization booth

Left-right: HE Francois Senemaud, Ambassador of France, Mr Serge Vernaiu, FAO Representative, HE Prof. Dr. Bounthiem Phissamay, President of National Science Council, Prime Minister’s Office and HE Sitaheng Rasphone, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at the Food and Agriculture Organization booth food wheel.

Mr Serge Vernaiu, Food and Agriculture Organization Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization staff, volunteers and visitors at the Food and Agriculture Organization booth

128 Phonxay Road Vientiane Capital Lao PDR (856) 413205 (856) 414503 www.fao.org fao-la@fao.org

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Towards improved agricultural practices and better nutrition for all