Colombo is set to host the 37th session of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as a high-level Ministerial in-person event from February 19 to 22.
Preceded by the virtual Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) held from January 31 to February 2, 2024, the APRC aims to address key issues surrounding food and agriculture in the region.
Deliberations during the conference will focus on the state of food and agriculture, agrifood systems transformation, and solutions tailored for smallholders and family farmers. The inaugural session, scheduled for February 20, will be presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, underscoring Sri Lanka's commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
Hosting the APRC underscores Sri Lanka's dedication to sustainable agriculture regionally, exemplifying its role as a partner in fostering agricultural growth. The agenda also includes a forum on agritourism, a sector highlighted by the Sri Lankan government, aimed at showcasing the country's potential as an agritourism destination and bolstering foreign exchange earnings.
Overseeing the conference's organizing activities, a delegation from the FAO Regional Office arrived in late January. The APRC serves as a platform for ministers of agriculture and high-ranking officials from 46 member countries to discuss challenges and priorities in food and agriculture, promoting regional coherence.
This biennial event, held in years when the global FAO Conference is not in regular session, emphasizes collaborative efforts to address agricultural issues and advance sustainable practices across the Asia Pacific region.
