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.
