UAE President awards Jacques Diouf with the Zayed II Medal of 1st grade

Abu Dhabi, Dec 15, 2011 (WAM) - President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Jacques Diouf with the Zayed II Medal of First Grade in recognition of his efforts in the field of agriculture and the fight against malnutrition and hunger in the world. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan decorated Diouf with the medal during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed expressed UAE's appreciation for the efforts made by Jacques Diouf during the past eighteen years he spent in the FAO to support the agricultural development programs and the fight against hunger and malnutrition as well as to encourage progress in poor rural communities around the world. Sheikh Mansour hailed the contribution and close collaboration of FAO with several public and private agricultural bodies and institutions in the country on scientific and technical levels. Sheikh Mansour wished Diouf, whose tenure in the FAO ends at the end of the current year, all success in his future career. Rashed Al Amiri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs attended the meeting. - Emirates News Agency, WAM