The 31st United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for the Asia-Pacific wrapped up on March 16 in Hanoi.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Hiroyuki Konuma, Chief Representative of FAO in Asia-Pacific highlighted the importance of the event for the future of agriculture and rural development in the region .

He said the conference provided FAO with much valuable information and experiences on a number of important policy issues as well as other issues related to agriculture and food security.

According to Konuma, the conference reviewed recent development trends, initiatives and policies at both regional and national level.

The conference also discussed two technical presentations related to the strengthening of sustainability and diversification of agricultural crop plants, the development of value chain and reduction of post harvest losses for farmers.

Decisions and recommendations adopted at this conference are considered the foundation to help FAO build priorities in the future, programmes and action plans, policy advice and technical assistance to its member countries.

The five-day conference saw the participation of hundreds of delegates from over 40 FAO member countries, observers from seven UN organisations, six inter-governmental organisations, 28 civil society groups and special observers from Singapore, Brunei and the Holy See.

On behalf of the Vietnamese government, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat thanked delegates for their attendance and contributions to the success of the meeting.

Minister Phat expressed his hope that the FAO member countries will continue promoting cooperation and mutual assistance in many areas, especially in food security and poverty reduction.-VNA