Renewed FAO, IFAD and WFP effort to fight hunger

5 November 2009, Rome - The following joint statement was issued today after a meeting of senior managers of the Rome-based UN agencies:

"We, the Senior Management of FAO, IFAD and WFP, the Rome-based United Nations agencies, met today ahead of the World Summit on Food Security (16-18 November 2009), to determine how to maximize each agency's expertise and comparative advantage so their combined efforts better serve the world's 1.02 billion hungry people.

Led by FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze and WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, the meeting brought together top management teams to advance initiatives ranging from joint administrative efficiencies to strategic country-led food security programs.

The meeting built on the progress made over the past two years towards improving cost-efficiency and impact through better cooperation. This effort taps into FAO's strength in agriculture, food security and natural resource management, IFAD's ability to provide critical financing for developing countries, and WFP's ability to provide hunger and nutrition solutions for the world's most vulnerable.

"The sum total of the Rome-based agencies is greater than our individual parts and roles. To succeed we need to work together. This is the time to put actions ahead of words," Diouf, Nwanze and Sheeran said.