Yerevan hosts FAO Regional ConferenceMay 13, 2010 - 12:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia kicked off in Marriott hotel, Yerevan, Armenia, on May 13. The conference is conducted in English, French, Russian and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation provided. High-ranking officials from 41 FAO member countries, EU (Member Organization), observers from EU Council, UN and Holy See of Vatican are participating. In his opening remarks, Minister for Agriculture of Armenia Gerasim Alaverdyan said: “This conference is important for implementation of regional programs. It will also focus on urgent issues, including usage of water resources, animal breeding, rural areas development and climate changes.” For his part, FAO Director-General, Mr. Jacques Diouf regretted that starvation is still a pressing problem, due to reduction of investments and rise in food prices. “The number of people starving has increased by 105 million, reaching 1 billion,” he said. Mr. Diouf also mentioned that that the economic crises resulted in slump of agriculture, specifically in Central and Eastern Europe. “The countries come across huge problems, including reduction of money transfers and private sector financing,” he said, adding that the best way to reduce poverty is to invest in agriculture. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |