Post-AMM2 Roadshows on the occasion of World Food Day

Following the 2nd Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held in Siem Reap, Cambodia last 8 September 2017, the GMS Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) approved the holding of country-level Roadshows to communicate and disseminate the outcomes including the Joint Ministerial Statement and the newly-endorsed GMS regional strategy on value chain development to promote safe and environment-friendly agriculture products and Siem Reap Action Plan 2018-2022. This Roadshow organized on the occasion of the 37th World Food Day, highlighted food security and food safety concerns and investments to promote rural development, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Change the future of migration invest in food security and rural development”. A range of various activities were done, including the setting up of booths, photo exhibits and the showing of videos including a video documentary highlighting the activities of the 2nd Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting. In Cambodia, a booth showcased the CASP2 LoA projects on Green Water Management and Participatory Guarantee System in Tbaung Khmum province. Many participants from government offices, development partners, NGOs, the private sector and farmers groups attended the event. Products from the farmers involved in the LOA project demonstrated their products, and a representative from the Prahoc LoA also participated. CASP2 materials particularly the new GMS Strategy and Siem Reap Action Plan was disseminated. In Lao PDR, the GMS WGA Roadshow was held at the National Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Research Institute in Vientiane. The AMM2 Exhibit was hosted at the booth of the Department of Planning and Finance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The new Strategy and Action Plan was available for distribution. The inaugural session and Exhibit opening was co-chaired by Deputy Minister, MAF H.E. Dr Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham and Ms Kaarina Immonen, UN Resident Coordinator, Vientiane. The WFD Exhibit and AMM2 Roadshow was launched on 15 October and will continue until 24 October 2017. In Myanmar, the Roadshow showcased the CASP 2 LOA project on Green Water Management, a booth on “Safe Food from Safe Farms products” and distribution of knowledge products of CASP 2 while highlighting the activities of the 2nd Agriculture Ministers' Meeting held in Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia. The event was held at Yezin Agricultural University with some 600 guests in attendance. The Vice-President of Myanmar, H.E. U Henry Van Thio inaugurated the World Food Day 2017 celebration. In Viet Nam, the GMS regional strategy and Siem Reap Action Plan (2018-2022) was launched in Bac Kan province. Prior to the launch, A booth with the new GMS Strategy and Action Plan publications and video presentations were featured and displayed to a wider GMS representatives and community of international donors for 3 days from 19 to 22 October 2017, in the event of the 22nd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-22) in Hanoi, Vietnam. In PRC, the Photo Exhibit was displayed at the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture in Beijing while the videos were uploaded on the website for more extensive outreach.