UN launches Int’l Year of Potato 2008
Friday, 19 October 2007
NEW YORK, Oct 18 (AFP): The United Nations today officially launches "International Year of the Potato 2008," an initiative mocked in private by some diplomats but enabling governments to raise much- needed funds for agricultural research.
The move to "increase awareness of the importance of the potato as a food in developing nations" was proposed by the UN's Rome-based Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and adopted by the General Assembly in 2005.
Throughout 2008, the International Year of the Potato (IYP) will seek to underline the humble spud's role in improving food security and poverty alleviation.
"For us diplomats these 'international years of ...' are of minor importance compared to resolutions concerning conflicts, or world diplomacy.
The move to "increase awareness of the importance of the potato as a food in developing nations" was proposed by the UN's Rome-based Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and adopted by the General Assembly in 2005.
Throughout 2008, the International Year of the Potato (IYP) will seek to underline the humble spud's role in improving food security and poverty alleviation.
"For us diplomats these 'international years of ...' are of minor importance compared to resolutions concerning conflicts, or world diplomacy.