21 August 2017, Addis Ababa - His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, Special Ambassador for Nutrition of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will be visiting Ethiopia from 21 to 24 August 2017 to highlight the link between nutrition and agriculture.

During his visit, His Majesty will meet with President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Mulatu Teshome, and other high-ranking Ethiopian officials to discuss progress made on national nutrition programmes. His Majesty will also visit Southern Nations and Nationalities and Peoples Regional State where he will see nutrition-building activities being carried out by the Ethiopian Government in collaboration with FAO.

Malnutrition can affect a generation of children, lowering their learning capacity thus compromising their futures and perpetuating the cycle of poverty and malnutrition, with severe consequences for both individuals and nations. In Ethiopia, FAO works closely with the Government to address the challenge of malnutrition, which affects about 40 percent of children. FAO recognizes the efforts and achievements of the Government of Ethiopia in improving the nutrition of millions of people. His Majesty’s visit is one aspect of FAO’s commitment to support the Government and advocate for investment in nutrition sensitive agriculture.

His Majesty will also have the opportunity to meet the African Union Chairperson and highlight the close partnership between FAO and the Commission in ending hunger and malnutrition in Africa.

As an FAO Special Ambassador, King Letsie III of Lesotho is raising awareness and mobilizing governments, international organizations, private sector and the general public to end hunger and malnutrition. The main message of His Majesty’s visit is that Zero Hunger can become a reality.

Contacts:

Tamiru Legesse, Communication Officer, [email protected]

Tezeta Meshesha, Communication Expert, [email protected] 

Abebe Demisse, Communication Consultant, [email protected]