Director-General of FAO José Graziano da Silva visits Finland

Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) José Graziano da Silva will visit Finland for the first time during his term in office on 14–17 July 2016. During his visit, Graziano da Silva will discuss topical issues with Minister of Agriculture and the Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen and meet representatives of the administration and various interest groups.

The discussions will focus on FAO's work to improve global food security and Finland's participation in the organisation's activities. Finland's three-year term in FAO's Council representing all Nordic countries will begin in mid 2017. The discussions will also touch on the UN sustainable development objectives, adopted last year. These objectives concern all nations and FAO has an important role in their promotion.

Director-General Graziano da Silva's programme will also include a presentation of the Natural Resources Institute Finland and especially its forest sector and statistic services. In addition, he will learn about Finnish forest management and visit a farm.

Graziano da Silva, from Brazil, has served as Secretary-General since 2012.

Inquiries to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:
Anna Santala, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 40 827 4007
Aulikki Hulmi, Director of International Affairs, tel. +358 295 7465802

E-mail: forename.surname(at)mmm.fi