21 October 2004 – Philippine Ambassador to Rome H.E. Philippe J. Lhuillier, who is also the country’s permanent representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, recently conferred "The Order of the Golden Heart" with the rank of Grand Cross, to Jacques Diouf, Director General of the FAO. The conferment was made in behalf of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The Philippines' "Order of the Golden Heart" gives official recognition to eminent persons who have rendered distinguished service and encouragement to the campaign for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the Filipinos.

As Director General of the FAO, Mr. Jacques Diouf’s continuing commitment towards the universal goal of food security and poverty alleviation has greatly assisted the Philippines in its food self sufficiency programs.

During his term as Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Philippines benefited immensely from 24 Technical Cooperation Programme projects valued at US$5.78 million.

The Philippines likewise received US$ 15.6 million worth of Trust Fund projects as well as around US$ 51million worth of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) projects.

All of these projects have lifted the lot of the rural poor and the Philippines is now on the road to food self-sufficiency.

In the international front, Mr. Diouf convened the World Food Summit in 1996.   Five years later, The World Food Summit gave the Philippines an opportunity to voice out its concerns in the international agricultural arena, particularly in the field of international agricultural trade and food security.

His continuing support to the Codex Alimentarius Commission has given new hope for the Philippines in the agricultural export market as the country continues to bring up its food standards to the international level set by Codex.

Mr. Diouf’s invaluable support also paved the way for the success of the Philippine initiative to declare 2004 as International Year of the Rice.

Finally, in collaboration with Mr. Diouf, Ambassador Lhuillier has drawn up voluntary guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security.  The Philippines considers this as a significant step for the reduction of the number of the hungry and the malnourished and with the FAO’s continuing guidance, countries like the Philippines would have practical guidelines to refer to in solving its hunger problems.  END.