FAO and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states are to become strategic partners in the fight against hunger and poverty and for the sustainable management of natural resources in the 79-member bloc of countries.
Under an agreement signed yesterday, "FAO and the Secretariat of the ACP Group shall strengthen their collaboration to better address continuing food insecurity and malnutrition, hunger, natural resources management and climate change challenges," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.
On behalf of the ACP Group, Secretary General Mohamed Ibn Chambas said: "Building on existing cooperation, we shall be acting as strategic partners on priority areas for action to bring about freedom from hunger and poverty."
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Chambas and Graziano da Silva at the 7th Summit of ACP Leaders in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 13-14 December. The ACP Group includes 40 Least Developed Countries and 36 Small Island States.
Graziano da Silva is also representing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at this event.
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