UN joins hands with Expo 2015 to end hunger

The United Nations signed an agreement with Expo 2015 on Thursday, confirming its support for the expo, during which attention will be drawn to eradicating hunger and poverty and on producing enough nutritious food for the world population. Attendants at the signing ceremony included Jose Graziano da Silva, director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kanayo F. Nwanze, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Claudia von Roehl, director of the Government Partnership Division at the World Food Programme (WFP). The Expo's theme, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," touches upon food security and nutrition, sustainability, poverty reduction, development and cooperation, they said. Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, who also attended the ceremony, said, "With Italy being the location of most of the agencies of the UN dedicated to food and nutrition, it goes without saying that for us, active participation and engagement in Expo is considered by my government as one of the most important engagements we wanted to achieve." "Of all the participants in Expo Milano 2015, the UN was the first international organization to show its support and is the first to sign a contract," said Giuseppe Sala, Italy's Commissioner for Expo 2015. "I am very proud of this outcome and to see here representatives of all three agencies - FAO, IFAD and WFP - that are responsible for food and nutrition at the global level, and which will guide UN participation in Expo Milano 2015," he added. The expo, which will kick off on May 1, 2015, is expected to draw some 20 million visitors to Italy. So far, 22 UN agencies have submitted proposals for exhibits.