Agriculture Min. expresses Egypt's appreciation for WFP's support

ROME - 5 July 2017: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Abdel Moneim Al Banna expressed Wednesday Egypt's appreciation for the positive role of the World Food Programme (WFP) in providing aid to Egyptians returning from Libya.

This came in statements by Al Banna at a meeting with the new Executive Director of the WFP David Beasley, during which he congratulated him on his new post.

The minister's statements were made before his departure from the Italian capital Rome, where he took part in the 40th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The minister pointed out that the WFP is the world's largest humanitarian relief organization working to fight hunger worldwide, especially in remote areas, as well as strengthening the capacity of countries to reduce hunger.

He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the WFP's regional office in Egypt, explaining that Egypt represents a major axis in the region.

Al Banna noted that the WFP can take part in a number of projects being implemented in Egypt.

He invited Beasley to visit Cairo to review these projects and programs, ahead of discussing the prospects of cooperation in developing them, especially school feeding and relief programs, as well as increasing the monthly aid provided to Syrian refugees in Egypt.

Meanwhile, Beasley expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian government's efforts and cooperation with the WFP.

He welcomed the invitation of Al Banna to visit Egypt, revealing intentions to boost the activities of the WFP's regional office in Cairo, in addition to providing the office with further human and financial resources.

On the other hand, Al Banna met with the President of the the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Gilbert Houngbo in Rome, where he congratulated him on his election as the new President of IFAD.

The minister also pointed to Egypt's desire to increase cooperation with the IFAD. He has also invited Houngbo to visit Egypt to discuss ways of boosting cooperation between the two sides and review the current projects, which both parties are currently cooperating in.

Al Banna stressed the importance of the IFAD's activities in Egypt, including the establishment of a workshop and regional office.

For his part, Houngbo welcomed the invitation of Al Banna to visit Egypt, noting the large number of promising projects currently being implemented in cooperation between Egypt and the IFAD.

The president of the IFAD praised the role played by Egypt in the region, stressing the positive role carried out by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in uniting African countries.