KPL
(KPL)The new Country Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) last week made an official courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry to further strengthen the long-standing and fruitful partnership between FAO and the Lao PDR, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).
(KPL)The new Country Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) last week made an official courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry to further strengthen the long-standing and fruitful partnership between FAO and the Lao PDR, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).
Ms. Kyung-Mee Kim took the office as the FAO Representative to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in December 2023. She brings with her a wealth of experience in agriculture, rural development and international cooperation to support FAO in Lao PDR to further ensure Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment and Better life to the people of Lao PDR and beyond.
During the visit, Mr Phet Phomphiphack, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, expressed his confidence that Ms. Kim’s extensive experience in international development, leadership and expertise will further strengthen the unwavering commitment to food security and nutrition, national resource management, climate change adaption, crisis response and disaster preparedness, and rural development and poverty reduction.
Mr Phet Phomphiphack said “under the new leadership, this collaboration will reach new heights, driving future progress towards sustainable development, food security, and improved livelihoods for all in Lao PDR”.
Ms. Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to Lao PDR, received a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations from the Government of Lao PDR through Mr Phet Phomphiphack. She also noted that she has witnessed and admired the tremendous progress Lao PDR has achieved in recent years, and she is deeply impressed by the government's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of its citizens. Through this strategic vision, direction and dedication to food security, rural development and environmental sustainability, Ms. Kyung-Mee Kim affirmed the Government of Lao PDR that FAO Lao PDR has aligned its strategy to serve Lao PDR and its citizens by fulfilling the mandates of the Ministry with all resources available.
Witnessed, both MAF and FAO Laos expressed the same strategic vision on key areas of collaboration, building upon FAO’s invaluable contribution. This includes, for instance, the finalization and operationalization of the national action plan on Agrifood System Transformation to drive a sustainable, inclusive, and efficient agrifood system that benefits all actors, the formulation of a robust
The contribution and achievements obtained from the above priorities will greatly create positive changes towards food security and nutrition; Agricultural commercialization; Sustainable Forest management; Sustainable rural development. By realizing the key areas of collaboration, the Government of Lao PDR through MAF will surely empower communities, improve agricultural practices, strengthen food systems, reduce hunger and malnutrition, while creating diversified livelihoods and sustainable income opportunities for rural population in the country. Long-term viability of Lao agricultural sector will be ensured, along with solid land and forest management, water sources conservation and biodiversity protection. In addition, FAO’s contribution toward the key priorities will enable Lao farmers to cope with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and maintain their livelihoods better, through climate-smart agriculture, climate change awareness, and early warning system, while timely interventions in times of crisis like floods and droughts will bring immediate relief and long-terms resilience to affected communities. Ultimately, all this leads to improving living standards and poverty reduction for the people of the Lao PDR overall.
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