The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Augustine Auga Maeue and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General, Jose’ Graziano da Silva have signed an agreement to establish FAO representation for the Solomon Islands.
The agreement was signed at the 11th FAO South West Pacific Ministers of Agriculture Meeting which was held from 11 – 14 May 2015 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
“The Solomon Islands has partnered with FAO since joining the Organisation in 1985. Cooperation has been aimed at enhancing sustainable agriculture and rural development”, Said FAO Director General, Jose’ Graziano da Silva. “FAO’s presence in the Solomon Islands will be strengthened with the establishment of a country office”.
Honourable Augustine Auga Maeue said “The signing of the Country Agreement to house a FAO office in Honiara is a historic event indicating a whole new set of commitments each partner will be making in order for expected outcomes to be realized”.
The Minister further added “as has been experienced in the past, the physical separation has created quite a lot of challenges in communication, and implementation of approved programme activities. Hopefully, this will change with having the FAO office in Honiara.
The Honourable Minister and his delegation returned to Honiara over the weekend.
Source: press Release, Government Communications Unit