This is the first agreement signed between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Singapore since the latter joined in 2013.
Channel NewsAsia 9 Jun 15;
SINGAPORE: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Singapore on Tuesday (Jun 9) inked a deal to improve food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on food safety and fisheries.
The collaboration would look at improving the health and safety of food, including street foods, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, the FAO press release said. Other areas include cutting food losses and waste, making trade and agriculture more sustainable, and building resilience to animal and plant-related threats.
The agreement is the first for both parties since Singapore joined the FAO in 2013, it added.
The agreement foresees knowledge exchanges, technical consultations and other forms of cooperation, including the deployment of experts across the region, as well as trainings, study visits, joint seminars and workshops.
In addition to exchanging and deploying professionals in the field, FAO and Singapore will also work together on developing food policies, creating agricultural research programmes and training material, and disseminating new technologies, the press release said.
"We look forward to strengthening cooperation with FAO on food security, as well as in related areas such as food safety, and animal and plant health," said Minister of State for National Development Maliki Osman.
"This is part of our continuing effort to boost Singapore's food security, and demonstrates our commitment to contribute advance food security globally - particularly through research and development and technology development," he added.
- CNA/kk
Dr Maliki speaks about Singapore's agricultural landscape in Rome
AsiaOne 9 Jun 15;
SINGAPORE - Minister of State for National Development and Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman has shared Singapore's experience in managing an evolving agricultural landscape at the 39th Session of the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Conference in Rome.
He joins other world leaders in the discussion of FAO's programme and budget for the next two years.
At the conference, Dr Maliki said that local agriculture remains an important pillar of our food security. Hence, the Government would continue to support the industry through a range of assistance and development schemes.
While in Rome, Dr Maliki also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Director-General of the FAO, Dr Jose Graziano da Silva, on technical co-operation with the FAO on behalf of Singapore.
The MOU will enable more opportunities for collaboration between the both parties in areas such as food security and nutrition, food safety, street food management, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, sustainable forestry, and animal and plant health.
Dr Maliki said: "We look forward to strengthening co-operation with FAO on food security as well as in related areas such as food safety, and animal and plant health. This is part of our continuing effort to boost Singapore's food security, and demonstrates our commitment to contribute advance food security globally, particularly through R&D and technology development."
The FAO leads international efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security. Singapore has been a member of the FAO since June 2013.
FAO's Director-General, Dr Jose Graziano da Silva said: "I am confident that this agreement will further strengthen regional and global exchanges in the realm of food and agriculture, and it represents a major step for Singapore and FAO in the global development arena. We look forward to a growing partnership."
Dr Maliki is accompanied by officials from the Ministry of National Development and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
Singapore and FAO to collaborate on food safety, illegal fishing
Parties sign first agreement since country joined FAO in 2013
FAO 8 Jun 15;
8 June 2015, Rome - Singapore and FAO will work together to improve food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on food safety and fisheries, according to a new agreement signed today - the first since the city-state joined the Organization in 2013.
Improving the health and safety of food, including street foods, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing are key areas in a larger collaboration that will also look at cutting food losses and waste, making trade and agriculture more sustainable, and building resilience to animal and plant-related threats.
"During my first official visit to Singapore last year, I was impressed by its innovative efforts to ensure food security and food safety," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva during today's signing ceremony. "I see the value of sharing its good practices with other countries," he added.
"We look forward to strengthening cooperation with FAO on food security, as well as in related areas such as food safety, and animal and plant health," said Singapore's Minister of State Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman. "This is part of our continuing effort to boost Singapore's food security, and demonstrates our commitment to contribute advance food security globally - particularly through Research and Development and technology development," he added.
The agreement foresees knowledge exchanges, technical consultations and other forms of cooperation, including the deployment of experts across the region, as well as trainings, study visits, joint seminars and workshops.
In addition to exchanging and deploying professionals in the field, FAO and Singapore will also work together on developing food policies, creating agricultural research programmes and training material, and disseminating new technologies.
Strong opportunities
Singapore, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has developed from a small port city into a major commercial and financial hub.
Since joining the Organization in 2013, the Government of Singapore has been engaging in dialogues with FAO regarding opportunities to advance food security and food safety in the country and across Southeast Asia, resulting in this first cooperation agreement.
The country's strong research and development capabilities offer many opportunities for feeding into FAO's work and exchanging knowledge with other countries.
Singapore is also a front runner in urban agriculture innovation, with vertical farms and rooftop gardens contributing to food security and quality of life in the city-state of over 5 million people.
"I am confident that this agreement will further strengthen regional and global exchanges in the realm of food and agriculture, and it represents a major step for Singapore and FAO in the global development arena," FAO's Director-General said. "We look forward to a growing partnership."
