NEWS RELEASES
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UN'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION VISITS OTTAWA
October 25, 1999 (4:15 p.m. EDT) No. 231
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UN'S
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION VISITS OTTAWA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Dr. Jacques Diouf,
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has arrived in
Ottawa to begin a three-day official visit.
During his visit, Dr. Diouf will take part in numerous meetings including those with
Minister Axworthy; Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources; Lyle Vanclief,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and Maria Minna, Minister for International
Co-operation.
On October 26 Dr. Diouf will present the Agricola medal to Prime Minister Jean
Chrétien. The FAO is awarding Mr. Chrétien the Agricola medal in recognition of
Canada's outstanding contributions over time to world agriculture and food security.
The FAO was founded in 1945, in Quebec City, with a mandate to tackle the
problem of global hunger by raising levels of nutrition and standards of living,
increasing agricultural productivity, and improving the conditions of rural populations.
Through its technical and economic programs, Canada provides special support for
FAO activities, including :
- genetic resource management and conservation;
- animal disease control and elimination;
- data and documentation systems;
- the role of women in agriculture and rural development;
- food diversity and quality assessment;
- food control and consumer protection; and
- studies, statistical analyses and global forecasts.
Canada also actively supported the formation of the World Food Program (WFP),
the UN food aid organization. Canada has been and remains one of the largest
donors to the WFP.
- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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