World Food Day activities in Asia and the Near East

A wide use of media and other creative initiatives were carried out to communicate this year's World Food Day (WFD) theme: "International Alliance Against Hunger" in various Asian countries.

At regional level, the call to create an International Alliance Against Hunger is seeing advancements in the Asian region as the FAO regional office in Bangkok is organizing on 17 October a roundtable meeting for conceptualizing an Asia-Pacific alliance against hunger. The NGO/CSO International Planning Committee, along with other stakeholders, are being called upon to be allies in this effort.

Activities in Indonesia to commemorate the WFD began on 6 October in the city of Jakarta with a national seminar on the WFD theme held during the meeting of the Second Banana Asia and Pacific Network. During the event, the FAO representative in this country held several presentations on "International Collaboration to Improve Food Security through Food Diversification" and "Gender and Transfer of Appropriate Technology for Food Security and Rural Development". The private sector and various government entities organized an exhibit from 16-19 October in Jakarta. School students also took part in the activities being organized for 13 October where the winners of drawing, poetry short story writing and rice cooking were awarded.

WFD activities in Sri Lanka included a four-day media discussion on this year's theme held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the FAO representation from 13 to 17 October. Other events included a seminar on 16 October, an essay contest for school students and a best home gardening competition for farmers. Two national newspapers published the WFD message as well as articles on the subject in both Sinhala and English.

In India, the Minister of Agriculture along with the representation of FAO in this country hosted a special ceremony on 16 October. Other activities included painting, essay and elocution contests held in various schools in New Delhi, exhibits with poster displays and a special celebration organized in a leprosy village.

Myanmar celebrated the WFD with various contests revolving around this year's WFD theme all organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Forestry. The best essay writing and song composition were awarded and a video show was also aired on Myanmar's national television network.

Cyprus made a broad use of media during the WFD. On 17 October, a half hour-program on a topic related to WFD was aired by the Cyprus Broadcasting Cooperation. A national ceremony on 16 October was held in Nicosia during which awards were given to outstanding farmers.

The Ministry of Jahad-e-Agriculture in Iran commemorated WFD with a national ceremony while round table discussions centring on the WFD theme were held and aired in all Iranian television channels.

The FAO representation in the Syrian Arab Republic also made wide use of media organizing a series of informational segments for television and radio. From 13-17 October, five six-minute TV messages on TeleFood issues were broadcasted on national channels. On WFD, a special message on this year's theme was aired while on the 23rd, population and food security issues were tackled on Syrian Radio Broadcasting. Celebrations, ceremonies and exhibits also took place in some 14 regions in Syria.