Rome. November 18.

The Second Regular Session of the Program Executive Board

began at WFP Headquarters

The session opened with a welcome message from Pope Francis. He drew the attention of the session participants to the aggravation of the growing hunger and malnutrition in the world. He also pointed out social problems and injustices, while emphasizing the importance of WFP's humanitarian work.

Delivering his speech WFP Executive Director D. Beasley highlighted internal problems of the organization, noting that the UN should set an example and serve as a global benchmark. Among the pressing global problems, he identified armed conflicts and climate change as the main causes of food insecurity and the massive and ever-growing migration.

In a geographic refraction, D. Beasley described the situations in the Sahel states, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela and Sudan as the most critical humanitarian crises of our time.

WFP is the leading humanitarian organization in the UN system. Last year, it provided food assistance to more than 86.7 million people in need in 83 countries. In 2018, the budget for the Assistance to Countries in Armed Conflict and Disaster-Relief Program reached a record $ 7.2 billion. Russia has been a member of the Executive Council since 1997.

The session participants are faced with a number of significant issues related to the Program. They will have to approve documents regulating its current work, including the WFP Management Plan for 2020-2022, an updated strategy for partnerships and attracting private sector resources, charitable foundations and individual donations for 2020-2025. to achieve the goal of “zero hunger,” as well as a progress report on the implementation of the WFP Comprehensive Roadmap for 2017–2021.

On November 20, an event on school nutrition issues is planned on the sidelines of the session, organized by Russia, the African Union and Canada, together with WFP.

The session is attended by representatives of the secretariats of other Roman organizations of the UN system, who will discuss the parameters of interaction and cooperation in solving common problems.

The speech of the Head of the Russian delegation at the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board of WFP, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the FAO and other international organizations in Rome, Victor L. Vasiliev, is posted on the website of the Permanent Mission.

The session of the Executive Council will last until November 21.