Note to Correspondents

2006 World Food Day - Invest in agriculture for food security

Next week sees the 61st 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.

Tuesday 17 October – 61st Anniversary of FAO and 26th 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 four model farmers (China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand) and a keynote address by Tadao Chino, former president of the Asian Development Bank, on this year’s WFD theme Invest in agriculture for food security.

The ceremony will start at 09:00 hours and last until 10:30 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 Tuesday morning 17 October between 08:00 and 08:50 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 08.45 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.

See also http://www.fao.org/wfd/2006/index.asp?lang=en

For more information on media attendance, contact Apinya Petcharat, FAO information assistant, at telephone 02-697.4124 or email Apinya.Petcharat@fao.org