Next week sees the 62nd anniversary of FAO’s foundation in Quebec, Canada on 16 October 1945. It will be marked in Bangkok by an important event to which the media are invited. Arrangements for the media are described below.

Wednesday 17 October – 62nd Anniversary of FAO and 27th World Food Day (WFD) Asia-Pacific observance presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The Thai minister of agriculture and cooperatives, other senior Thai government officials, Bangkok based members of the diplomatic corps, UN organizations and civil society will attend the ceremony.

The ceremony will include the presentation of FAO awards to five model farmers (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mongolia, Samoa and Thailand) and a keynote address by Leonardo Q. Montemayor, national president of the Free Farmers Association of the Philippines, titled Right to food in Asia and the Pacific – The worm’s point-of-view.

The ceremony will start at 15:00 hours and last until 16:15 hours. After the ceremony journalists are invited to join refreshments and have the opportunity to interview guests, participants and FAO staff.

Press Passes should be collected on Wednesday 17 October between 14:00 and 14:50 hours, immediately before the start of the ceremony at the FAO office in Bangkok, upon presentation of a valid press card or a letter of accreditation from the employer. A press kit will be provided to each journalist attending the celebration.

For reasons of space and security, the following arrangements will apply:
• There will be an area to accommodate photographers and cameramen wishing to record the arrival of dignitaries. They must be in place by 14:45 hours.
• Print, radio and TV journalists, photographers and cameramen will be accommodated in the Conference Hall where the ceremony takes place or, alternatively, can follow proceedings by CCTV in the reception hall.