Russia’s TASS becomes media partner for UN food and agriculture agency

ROME, June 23. /TASS/. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Russia’s TASS news agency are committing to strategic partnership to improve global information and awareness on hunger and food-related issues. A memorandum of understanding was due for signing on Tuesday. FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva told TASS his agency attached importance to boosting information outreach and spreading knowledge of actions needed to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. "To achieve zero hunger, we must join forces with governments, non-governmental organisations, civil society, private sector, academia and, of course, with the media community. We are teaming up with the biggest and most reliable media outlets from all over the world to reach out with FAO key messages to as many people as possible," said da Silva. As one of Russia’s major news agencies with more than 100 years of history and an extensive network of correspondents, TASS has been chosen as a reliable strategic partner thanks to its reputation and authority in the information services market. "By signing this partnership agreement with TASS today, we have made one more important step towards meeting our global target," da Silva went on. "We share the vision that providing access to reliable information is a powerful tool to promote food and nutrition security and sustainable development. I look forward to long-term and fruitful collaboration between TASS and FAO." In 2006, Russia became a full member of FAO, one of the oldest international organisations, this year celebrating its 70th anniversary. Since its establishment in October 1945, the former Soviet Union had observer status at the agency and Russian is one of FAO's official languages. To strengthen cooperation with Russia, FAO decided to open a liaison office in Moscow this year. Already the agency maintains liaison offices at locations where many UN organisations and other international organisations are working, among them Brussels, Geneva and New York. FAO liaison offices have been established in Tokyo and in Washington DC. These offices monitor developments affecting nutrition, food and agriculture, and represent the organisation at meetings on matters that fall within the agency mandate. Read more