Coordinated action key to Mexico’s Crusade Against Hunger

Mexican President meets FAO Director-General

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

©Photo: ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

20/03/2013
20 March 2013, Rome – FAO will support Mexico’s efforts to ensure that no one is left out in the fight against hunger, José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General assured the Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto during an encounter today in Rome.

“The National Crusade Against Hunger is a government priority. All our efforts should converge to assist vulnerable populations,” Peña Nieto said. “The Crusade focuses on those who do not benefit automatically from growth.”  

Graziano da Silva and the President discussed ways to strengthen governance mechanisms for food security, including the coordination of government action and participation of civil society and the private sector in anti-hunger and poverty-reduction efforts. 

“No one can walk the path to food security alone. It is important for government at all levels, plus civil society and the private sector, to coordinate their efforts and take action together. FAO can help to identify and build synergy among those who are working to fight hunger, so that they can better direct those efforts,” said Graziano da Silva. 

The Director-General accepted the President’s invitation to visit Mexico in the near future. He said FAO fully supports the objectives of the Crusade to reach out to those who fall between the cracks economically and socially. 

Peña Nieto added that Mexico’s anti-hunger initiative would work to change underlying social conditions that contribute to hunger, and stressed the importance of mobilizing communal social energy.