At the occasion of the Council, FAO, jointly with IFAD and WFP presented on 2 December 2011 the achievements and lessons learned from the EU Food Facility program financed by the EU Commission in response to the food price volatility of 2007-2008, which with the global financial and economic downturn, pushed millions of people into poverty and hunger.
The event was chaired by Mr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General. In two years, the 3 organizations targeted through the program 22 million of the most vulnerable people in 35 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, providing evidence that investing in agriculture and nutrition improves global food security. In establishing the EU Food Facility, the European Union sent a strong message to both developed and developing countries that it was time to joint our forces to get agriculture back on track in the fight against poverty and hunger. As food prices are expected to remain high and volatile in the coming years, it is essential to maintain the momentum created by the EU Food Facility in promoting agriculture as the most effective means of reducing global hunger and poverty.
The statement delivered by video message by the President of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso during the event and the press release can be consulted at the following link: http://un4.me/spVq4T
