Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mr. Faruk Çelik stated that Turkey have granted 10 million dollars of Project support through Central Asia Sub-Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations within 5 years. Minister Çelik added that this fund has been increased by two fold, in other words around 20 million dollars, for the next 5 years.
Minister Çelik received the Deputy Director General of FAO Mr. Vladimir Rakhmanin and accompanying delegation for discussing the relations with FAO and the Regional Conference to be held in Antalya in the first week of March.
Starting his speech by celebrating the 8th March International Women's Day, Minister Çelik referred to the relations and collaboration with FAO, to which Turkey has been a member since 1948. Stating that 2 billion people in the world struggle against hunger and poverty, Mr. Çelik added that one of the main duties of FAO is remove the poverty.
"We share our food with 3 million Syrians"
Referring to the responsibility of FAO in terms of struggle against hunger and poverty, Minister Çelik reported that Turkey opens its doors to Syria which faces such problems. Turkey is the first in Europe and 7th in the world in agriculture, Minister Çelik added. We have used this opportunity not only for the sake of our population but also for the whole world. We are searching for ways to find solutions to the problems of oppressed people. As you know, the world closes its doors to the Syrians. However, Turkey opens its doors to 3 million Syrians and shares its food with them.
2016 International Year of Pulses
2016 was announced as the "International Year of Pulses" by the UN upon the initiative of Turkey. With the activities under this scope, importance and benefits of pulses as a main source of protein will be introduced better, Minister Çelik continued.
Regarding the Turkey's G-20 Presidency last year, Minister Çelik stated that Turkey promoted close and efficient collaboration with FAO during the preliminary phase of Agricultural Ministers Meeting. As the Ministers of Agriculture under G-20, we assigned FAO the responsibility to establish a Technical Platform on the Measurement of Food Losses and Waste. Moreover, Turkey carries out joint studies with FAO to increase the capacity of collaboration with the least developed countries under "South-South Cooperation". Minister Çelik also expressed his pleasure on the participation of FAO to EXPO 2016 Antalya International Botanical Exhibition hosted by Turkey.
FAO Regional Conference for Europe will be held in Antalya on May 2-6
Turkey will host an important meeting of FAO in the following days under multilateral cooperation with the Organization. The 30th session of the conference will be held in Antalya on May 2-6, 2016. Ministers of Agriculture from 53 countries will come together and discuss the problems on agriculture and development in the region, Minister Çelik stated.
Rakhmanin: "We appreciate Turkey for its contributions to FAO"
Deputy Director General of FAO and the Regional Representative of Europe and Central Asia Mr. Vladimir Rakhmanin stated that one of the objectives of FAO is to remove poverty. Rakhmanin continued: "It is a vital struggle. Food security is of great importance for the development of humanity. With the sustainable development goals, we hope that poverty will be removed by 2030. In order to achieve this, international community should work together. At this point, FAO relies on member countries. In this scope, we appreciate the efforts of Turkish Government in terms of removing hunger and guaranteeing food security. We are pleased to make close contacts with Turkey.
Mr. Vladimir Rakhmanin also mentioned about the International Year of Pulses, Regional Conference to be held in Antalya and sustainable development goals.