Kuwait takes post as vice-president of NEFRC

Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) took on Saturday the post of vice-president of Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC) in preparation for the presidency of the Commission, which is due in the second half of current year. Engineer Faisal Al-Hassawi, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to FAO, expressed, in a statement to KUNA, his appreciation to the trust of member-countries in NEFRC for choosing Kuwait for the fifth time to take on the responsibility of leading NEFRC, which represents one of the four regions that rotate to take the presidency of the Group of 77. "Choosing Kuwait, which prepares for taking the duties of presidency during the second half of 2012, represents a special appreciation to its tireless activity inside the organization and reflects, at the same time, Kuwait's keenness, through the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources Affairs (PAAFRA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in maintaining an advanced and vital presence in major international forums," said Al-Hassawi. Al-Hassawi presented on January 16 his credentials as Kuwait's Permanent Representative to FAO to its newly-appointed Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva, who expressed appreciation to Kuwait's active role in the FAO's mission in facing food security and malnutrition issues through developing world agricultural sectors. Al-Hassawi indicated that he intend, during his current post as vice-president of NEFRC, to boost the compatibility and coordination approach inside the commission to highlight its role in drawing the guidance of the International Organization, and maximize all types of advantages in favor of its development programs and protections of its interests. He affirmed that Kuwait will continue its firm approach in consolidating solidarity and initiative to express interests, aspirations, and stances of the region and all member countries in order to improve positive cooperation among them and boost their efforts in dealing with joint issues related to food security and resources protection and development of agricultural, livestock, and fish resources sectors. The FAO's chief lauded on January 16 the Kuwaiti leadership's "positive role" which is depicted through its efforts and its cooperation with FAO's various bodies to set world stability and food security.