12 December 2003 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople announced today that the Philippines was elected as member of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council by the 32nd FAO Conference held in Rome on 29 November to 10 December 2003.

There are nine (9) seats for Asia in the Council, six of which were up for elections during the 32nd Conference.  The Philippines tied with Thailand and China for first lace, all garnering 135 votes each out of a total of 137 ballots cast. The Philippines was first elected as a member of the Council in 1999.  It will serve its second term from 2004 until 2007.

Secretary Ople expressed the Philippine Government’s grateful appreciation to the FAO members for their continuing support and confidence.  He also congratulated the Philippine delegation to the 32nd FAO conference headed by Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Jr., and all those who have worked hard for the success of the Philippine campaign.

The FAO is of critical importance to the Philippines considering that agriculture is a vital component of the Philippine economy.  “Our re-election to the FAO Council is a recognition of the Philippines’ centerpiece programs on agricultural productivity and development to attain greater food sufficiency and to alleviate poverty," Ople said.   “During our second term, the Philippines will continue to take part in the formulation of responsive policies and programs aimed at achieving global food security and the sustainable management of natural resources,” he added.

The Council is the executive organ of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the largest autonomous agency within the UN system.  The Organization was founded in 1945, with the Philippines as one of the character signatories.  FAO has a mandate to raise the levels of nutrition and standard of living, to improve agricultural productivity and to better the conditions of the rural people. END