Bahrain, FAO discuss cooperation

Manama, July 25 (BNA): Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, today met a delegation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), headed by the Subregional Coordinator for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen, Gerold Boedeker. The meeting discussed cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and FAO on developing the sectors of agriculture, livestock and fish production in preparation for the launch of two new animal health and marine safety projects in the Kingdom. This comes within the framework of strategic partnership between the Kingdom and Resident and Regional United Nations agencies for the years 2018-2022, which aims at exchanging expertise and supporting future projects. The delegation gave a technical presentation on the current production conditions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as its visions of the joint projects that will be implemented. The delegation also expressed its aspirations to expand joint cooperation with the Kingdom. For his part, the Undersecretary for International Affairs valued the relations and cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and FAO which aim at reaching a mutual vision on the future of agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors and developing their quality. He added that this will be achieved through benefiting from the organization’s expertise in coordination with the Government’s plans and programs. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has gained an advanced position in international indicators for food security, through coming up with a national strategy for sustainable agricultural development. This plan aims at enhancing the role of agriculture, livestock and fish production to achieve comprehensive development and find optimal options, while also maintaining environmental and biological balance, attracting foreign investments in various production sectors, and encouraging the use of advanced technology, in light of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. FAO projects aim to provide technical support to the Kingdom of Bahrain to strengthen its national efforts in sustaining food security.