Singapore, FAO to improve food and nutrition security in SEA

SINGAPORE and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have formally agreed to work as a team to improve food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia.

The collaboration is extensive, and will emphasize food safety and fisheries, especially ensuring the quality of street food, as well as putting a stop to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, according to FAO. Further to that, the agreement includes reducing food loss and waste, sustainable trade and agriculture, and building resilience to animal and plant-related threats.

The Garden by the Bay in Singapore has two horticultural themed gardens used for education and awareness raising around food and agriculture issues (FAO)

“During my first official visit to Singapore last year, I was impressed by its innovative efforts to ensure food security and food safety,” said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva during today's signing ceremony. “I see the value of sharing its good practices with other countries," he added.

"We look forward to strengthening cooperation with FAO on food security, as well as in related areas such as food safety, and animal and plant health," said Singapore's Minister of State Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman. "This is part of our continuing effort to boost Singapore's food security, and demonstrates our commitment to contribute advance food security globally – particularly through Research and Development and technology development," he added.

The agreement will benefit both parties, with knowledge exchanges, technical consultations and other forms of cooperation, including the deployment of experts across the region, as well as trainings, study visits, joint seminars and workshops.

FAO and Singapore will also work together on developing food policies, creating agricultural research programmes and training material, and disseminating new technologies.