Saudi Arabia celebrates World Food Day

Riyadh, October 15, SPA -- Dr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman Balghunaim,
Minister of Agriculture spoke today about major challenges facing the
world including higher food prices, climate change and the adverse
effects of economic, social, environmental shortcomings.

He also referred to the dangerous expansion in the production of
bio-energy at the expense of food.

He made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Under
Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries Eng.Saad bin
Ibrahim Al-Fayad, at a ceremony held today in cooperation with the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to
celebrate the occasion of The World Food Day which falls on October
16 of each year and is being observed by the Kingdom. The observance
of the Day is meant to promote greater cooperation between the States
and international bodies to overcome all these challenges.

In his speech, Dr. Balghunaim pointed out that Saudi Arabia is part
of this world and also faces all these challenges and working hard
with the wise guidance of the leadership to overcome such challenges
through setting up the strategy developed for short, medium-and long
terms. "The Kingdom will press ahead with its cooperation with all
bodies locally, regionally and internationally, especially with the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to achieve
sustainable agricultural development and ensure durable food
security.


--SPA