Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jennifer Harhigh on the occasion of the Africa Day of School Feeding
USUN Charge’ d’Affaires Jennifer Harghigh recalls her experience as a teacher with the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic
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Peace Corps celebrates 60 years of global volunteerism
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, to promote world peace and friendship with countries around the globe by sending Americans to volunteer their services in developing countries.
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Kerry: We all must be ambitious to tackle climate change
The United States will partner with nations to solve the climate crisis, says Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. “Failure is really not an option if we expect to pass the Earth on in the shape that it needs to be to future generations,” he said at a Munich Security Conference (MSC) Special Session …
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The United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Yemen
Today, I announced nearly $191 million in additional humanitarian assistance at the virtual 2021 High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen . Combined with the nearly $160 million we provided at the end of last year, the United States has provided more than $350 million since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2021.
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Biden: U.S. will work with democratic partners
resident Biden says the United States will stand with its European allies and other international partners to confront the world’s most pressing problems. Speaking to the Munich Security Conference February 19, Biden hailed strong partnerships between free nations as the foundation for countering rising global challenges.
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United States Opening Statement at the February 2021 WFP Executive Board given by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jennifer Harhigh
The U.S. Government remains committed to our strong partnership with WFP. The Biden Administration looks forward to continuing–and strengthening–the long tradition of close collaboration with WFP to meet the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
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Remarks by President Biden at the 2021 Virtual Munich Security Conference
I speak today as President of the United States at the very start of my administration, and I’m sending a clear message to the world: America is back. The transatlantic alliance is back. And we are not looking backward; we are looking forward, together.
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United States Announces Leading Pledge to the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Twelfth Replenishment of Resources
Today, the United States announced a pledge of $129 million in support of the Twelfth Replenishment of Resources for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD-12 Replenishment). This announcement makes the United States the leading donor to the IFAD-12 Replenishment.
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U.S. Statement and Explanation of Position on CFS 47: Voluntary Guidelines on Food Security and Nutrition
CFS 47: Voluntary Guidelines on Food Security and Nutrition February 10, 2021, 9:30 a.m. (Rome) U.S. STATEMENT: • The Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition are the endpoint of an enormous effort by the Committee on World Food Security to reach consensus on a set of recommendations to improve performance across food systems for …
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Biden: We will solve global challenges together
In a major foreign policy speech, Biden said the United States will work with the international community to tackle global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, and to advance freedom and dignity for people around the world.
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Food Security Crisis in Yemen
An estimated 16 million people are facing crisis-level food insecurity in Yemen. In the latest fact sheet see how USAID is supporting lifesaving response efforts in Yemen, including providing an additional $150M in emergency food assistance in December.
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Biden takes bold steps to fight climate change
On January 20, his first day in office, President Biden signed papers to bring the United States back into the Paris Agreement. On January 27, he issued an executive order deepening America’s commitment to combat the climate crisis. The president stressed the need for international partnerships to meet the challenge.
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Biden bolsters U.S. support for COVID-19 vaccinations abroad
The United States is joining international efforts to ensure COVID-19 vaccines and treatments reach countries around the world.
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Meet America’s new secretary of state: Antony Blinken
Blinken, whom the U.S. Senate confirmed as secretary of state January 26, will lead the State Department, where he served during the Clinton and Obama administrations. His career in public service follows in the steps of his father and uncle, who served as U.S. ambassadors.
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U.S. return to Paris Agreement marks renewed climate commitment
The United States is rejoining the Paris Agreement, renewing its commitment to partnering with other nations to tackle the global threat of climate change.
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Biden ends discriminatory immigration bans
Calling them “just plain wrong,” President Biden on January 20 ended restrictions on the issuing of visas to individuals from many Muslim and African countries.
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Poet Amanda Gorman speaks to a new time for America
“We are striving to forge our union with purpose. To compose a country, committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.”
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Joe Biden sworn in as 46th U.S. president
“We’ll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security,” the new president said in his inaugural address. He promised the nations of the world: “We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.”
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Joe Biden: America’s next president
Joseph R. Biden Jr., a former vice president and a longtime Capitol Hill lawmaker known for reaching across the political aisle to get things done, takes office on January 20 as the 46th president of the United States.
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Kamala Harris: America’s next vice president
Kamala Devi Harris, a senator who has represented California in the U.S. Congress since 2017, will break barriers when she is inaugurated as vice president of the United States on January 20. She will be the first woman — and the first person of African, Jamaican and South Asian ancestry — to occupy that position.
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Biden’s inauguration to blend the old with the new
Commemorating the United Nations Declaration
January 1, 1942, was a milestone in diplomatic history — a day when representatives of the “Big Four” Allied countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China) gathered in Washington to sign the United Nations Declaration, formally pledging cooperation in defeating the forces of fascism.
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U.S. helps people and economies of Africa recover from COVID-19
The United States continues to help African nations fight COVID-19 while also helping their economies recover from the pandemic.
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Ambassador Tom delivers the U.S. National Statement for the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) Assembly of Parties
The United States commends IDLO on its adherence to its core principles of Inclusion, Integration, and Innovation during this year of unprecedented challenges. As the only intergovernmental organization exclusively dedicated to the rule of law as an enabler of peace, sustainable development, and human rights, IDLO is uniquely positioned to build judicial capacity in challenging operating environments.
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Ambassador Kip Tom delivers the U.S. Opening Statement at the WFP Executive Board
Let me begin by reiterating the congratulations of the United States to the World Food Program for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2020. This award is recognition for the tremendous impact the World Food Program has under your leadership and that of all the World Food Program staff around the world dealing in …
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Nobel Prize shines light on U.N. work to end hunger
The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its work fighting hunger
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The United States joins the Mining, Agricultural and Construction Equipment (MAC) Protocol
The Protocol will strengthen trade, help increase food production, and bolster economic development by lowering the cost of credit on expensive tractors, harvesters, and other equipment for developing and developed countries.
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador Kip Tom at the at FAO Informal North American Regional Conference Plenary Session
A BIG Congratulations to the FAO on your 75th anniversary.
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U.S. Announces Humanitarian Assistance at the International Conference for the Rohingya Refugees
Today, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conducted a virtual conference on Sustaining International Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response.
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Global humanitarian aid has never been more important
The United States is the world’s largest single donor of humanitarian assistance. When more than 168 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection, every country has a responsibility to help.
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Ambassador Kip Tom Assesses Humanitarian Response to Beirut Explosion
Ambassador Kip Tom visited Beirut, Lebanon in early October to view the damage caused by the massive explosion in Beirut’s port, and assess the humanitarian response. The United States is working with the World Food Program (WFP) to help meet the food security needs of the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon during these very difficult …
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo At the Mining, Agriculture, and Construction Protocol Signing Ceremony
This is an important moment. Easier access to finance critical global economic assets like this machinery will give real opportunity to troubled people all across the world, as the world climbs out of this economically challenging time.
Read More» Italy Travel Advisory – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. …
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Under Maduro, nearly all Venezuelans live in poverty
The illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro has thrust 96 percent of Venezuelans into poverty, a new study found. The 2019–2020 National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI, for Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida) — published by researchers at Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas — shows that poverty levels in Venezuela spiked during 2019, officially …
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The Path to Democracy in Venezuela
Venezuela is at a crossroads. The country has been on a path to authoritarianism since Nicolás Maduro took power in 2013. Since then, he has led Venezuela down a road of economic and democratic destitution. Interim President Juan Guaidó is offering Venezuela a new path, one that leads the country back to democracy and prosperity. …
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Happy Independence Day from USUN Rome
UPDATE: The United States Continues to Lead the Global Response to COVID-19
The U.S. Government leads the globe with $12.5 billion allocated to benefit international COVID-19 response, including commitments for the development of vaccines and therapeutics, preparedness efforts, and foreign assistance. We are achieving real results, helping nations around the world respond to COVID-19 and thereby protecting the homeland.
Read More» The United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Syrian People
At today’s fourth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region,” hosted by the European Union, Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James Jeffrey announced more than $696 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria in response to the ongoing crisis caused by the Assad regime, Russian, and Iranian …
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Remarks by Ambassador Kip Tom at the Opening Session of the World Food Program Executive Board
Executive Director Beasley, this first year of a new decade— from the outset —is proving to be one that calls for more fortitude, perseverance and adaptation than we could have ever predicted. The United States more so than in the past looks to institutions like WFP to be a part of the holistic, constructive effort …
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The Charter of the United Nations turns 75
When the Charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26, 1945, it set the stage for a post-World War II era dedicated to the resolution of international disputes by peaceful means. Fifty of the U.N.’s original 51 member countries signed the charter at the San Francisco Conference (Poland signed the charter two months …
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U.S. scientists work to stave off desertification
On June 17, the U.N. will observe Desertification and Drought Day, which raises public awareness of desertification. (The annual observance was started in 1994 by the U.N. General Assembly and until this year was called the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.)
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Soil researcher wins World Food Prize
Soil health scholar Rattan Lal, a native of India and a citizen of the United States, is the winner of the 2020 World Food Prize.
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Agricultural biotech makes farms more productive
Farmers around the world are using advances in agricultural science to increase crop yields, reduce the need for pesticides and feed hungry communities. In Nigeria, for example, the government recently recommended the first strain of genetically engineered cowpea for commercial use, which was developed by Nigeria’s Institute for Agricultural Research at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, …
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U.S. relief groups protect most vulnerable from COVID-19
International relief organizations based in the United States are protecting the world’s most vulnerable people from COVID-19. These nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are collaborating with local officials to screen patients for COVID-19 in Africa and build a hospital in Bangladesh
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USAID’S ONGOING DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES AND COVID-19 ASSISTANCE RESPONSE IN AFRICA
Today we are pleased to be joined by Dr. Kenneth Staley, U.S. Agency for International Development, Global Malaria Coordinator and leader of the USAID COVID-19 Task Force, and Mr. Christopher Runyan, USAID Senior Coordinator for the Bureau for Africa. Our speakers will discuss USAID’s ongoing development priorities and COVID-19 assistance response in Africa. They are …
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Ambassador Kip Tom visits model Italian farm
It is a model Italian farm using available science and technology to make sure they do their part in feeding a hungry world
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International Donors Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants
We are heartened to see strong participation by international donors today, and encourage your continued support to the Venezuela crisis response. The United States will continue to be a catalyst for a peaceful, political resolution to the crisis, as proposed in the Democratic Transition Framework.
Read More» Delivering on American Commitments in the COVID-19 Response with Additional Foreign Assistance
The American people continue to prove they are the most generous humanitarians the world has ever known with today’s commitment of an additional $162 million for COVID-19 response, bringing the total to date to more than $1 billion since the outbreak began.
Read More» DAI Request for Proposals–RFP INVEST-044 Italy ESF Part 1: Catalytic Contribution, due June 3, 2020
Request for Proposal (RFP) to support the implementation of the USAID Economic Support Fund for Italy. This is one of two companion Requests For Proposals (RFP-044 and RFP-045).
Read More» DAI Request for Proposals – RFP INVEST-045 Italy ESF Part 2: Technical Assistance, due June 3, 2020
Request for Proposal (RFP) to support the implementation of the USAID Economic Support Fund for Italy. This RFP Iis one of two companion RFPs (RFP-044 and RFP-045). Offerors may apply to either or both RFPs
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Transatlantic Cooperation on COVID-19
As President Trump has said, the United States is working with our friends and partners around the world to coordinate our efforts on stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States values our cooperation with allies and partners in combatting the pandemic and in planning for our collective recovery.
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U.S. sends coronavirus aid to Central and South America
The U.S. government is providing millions of dollars as well as training and supplies to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to Central and South American countries, with a total of more than $73 million provided to the Western Hemisphere in response to the pandemic.
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Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance Builds Upon U.S. Leadership in the Global COVID-19 Response
As we work together to defeat the coronavirus at home, the United States stands with our global partners in their time of need, as we always have. A healthier world means a healthier United States.
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UNITED STATES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE PEOPLE OF YEMEN
This assistance, provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will fund the emergency food operation of the World Food Programme (WFP) in southern Yemen, as well as a reduced operation in northern Yemen, where Houthi obstruction forced the WFP to scale down in April 2020.
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U.S. helps counter COVID-19 outbreaks in Middle East and North Africa
The United States is providing more than $110 million to help countries in the Middle East and North Africa fight COVID-19, including Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, as well as the West Bank. The funding will improve disease detection and prevention, bolster lab capacity and treat patients. In addition, the United States is partnering …
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Here’s how the coronavirus could change supply chains
The novel coronavirus pandemic is forcing factories around the world to slow or cease production. This reduced output is disrupting global supply chains that normally keep countries supplied with everything from medicine to garlic to socks.
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U.S. and Europe team up to battle COVID-19
The United States is helping European nations combat COVID-19, relying on long-standing partnerships to improve disease prevention and detection across the continent. Aid includes supporting laboratories and testing in more than a half-dozen countries.
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U.S. to provide $258 million in aid for northern Central America
The U.S. government will expand the resumption of aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, with $258 million across the three countries.
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Release of U.S. Government Action Plan to Support the International Response to COVID-19
Through the American people’s generosity and the U.S. government’s action, the United States continues to demonstrate global leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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U.S. provides coronavirus aid across Africa
The U.S. government is supplying millions of dollars, training and equipment to African countries to help them combat the spread of the coronavirus. These efforts will help maximize each nation’s medical response capabilities and capacities.
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Secretary of State Pompeo Announces Additional COVID-19 U.S. Foreign Assistance
Today I can confirm that we are prepared to commit an additional $225 million in health, humanitarian, and economic assistance to further boost response efforts worldwide. That’s on top of the roughly $274 million in funding we’ve already deployed to 64 countries across the globe. No country can match this level of generosity. The new …
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The United States supports the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Response to COVID-19
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is playing an important role in assessing and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 on people’s life and livelihoods around the world, the global food trade, markets, food supply chains and livestock.
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Taking on a billion locusts in the Greater Horn of Africa
In March, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional $10 million in humanitarian assistance to control the worst desert locust infestation in decades in the Greater Horn of Africa. This brings to $19 million the total amount the U.S. government has provided to the fight against the billions of locusts swarming in …
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The U.S. Role in International Organizations’ Response to COVID-19
The United States is by far the most generous and reliable contributor to crisis response and humanitarian action through the United Nations and dozens of international organizations. U.S. assistance, monetary and in-kind contributions, expertise and technology, are indispensable to the effort to combat COVID-19
Read More» U.S. Foreign Assistance in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Our leadership in the COVID-19 response is another example of how America—our government, our businesses and organizations, and our people—continues to be the world’s greatest humanitarians. Between existing resources, supplemental funding, the private sector, and the generous spirit of the American people, the United States is leading – and will continue to lead – the …
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Department of State Covid-19 website
The Department of State is taking decisive action to inform and safeguard U.S. citizens overseas, protect the homeland, advance the Administration’s commitment to building glo bal health security capacity for this and future outbreaks, and reduce the impact for U.S. companies and supply chains overseas. Visit the State Department’s Covid-19 website
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U.S. sanctions on Venezuela explained
Since 2017, the U.S. has sanctioned people, businesses, and oil entities associated with the former Maduro regime, both inside and outside of Venezuela. Why are sanctions necessary and who actually feels their impact? U.S. sanctions are designed to ensure that Maduro and his cronies don’t profit from illegal gold mining, state-operated oil operations, or other …
Read More» Mission Italy, Embassy to the Holy See, and USUN Rome Change in Operations due to COVID-19
Mission Italy, Embassy to the Holy See, and USUN Rome Change in Operations due to COVID-19 The U.S. Missions to Italy and to the United Nations Agencies in Rome and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See will limit their operations as of March 11, 2020, in accordance with the Government of Italy’s March …
Read More» Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy – March 12, 2020
Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy – March 12, 2020 Location: Italy Event: Due to reduced staffing that went into effect March 11, only emergency American Citizen Services and emergency visa services are available at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and Consulates General Milan, Naples, and Florence. The CDC advises travelers to avoid nonessential travel to Italy and State Department currently recommends U.S. citizens reconsider travel . See CDC information regarding high-risk traveler categories . On March …
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U.S. Statement given by Deputy Chief of Mission Jennifer Harhigh at the opening of the November WFP Executive Board
November 18, 2019 Thank you Mr. President and Executive Director for your thoughtful remarks and comprehensive presentations. Ambassador Tom apologizes, he wanted to be here, but is on his way to participate in a Senate Hearing regarding the U.S. role in the UN system. Executive Director Beasley, we all have witnessed the phenomenon of increasing …
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Ambassador Kip Tom visits Rwanda, attends the Africa Food Security Dialogue
August 10, 2019 Partnerships were a key theme on Ambassador Kip Tom’s recent visit to Rwanda. From August 5-8th the Ambassador participated in the Africa Food Security Leadership Dialogue (AFSLD) in Kigali, Rwanda and made several site visits to UN projects promoting food security and local economic development. “Agriculture by nature involves risk, but by …
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Under Secretary Ted McKinney delivers the U.S. Statement at the 41st FAO Conference
Rome, June 24, 2019 Mr. Chairman, Director General Graziano da Silva, distinguished colleagues and guests, thank you for the opportunity to address you all today. It is an honor and a pleasure to join fellow Member states to find solutions to end hunger. And, the United States thanks Director General Graziano da Silva for his …
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Remarks by Ambassador Kip Tom at the Digital Agriculture Transformation Seminar at FAO
We are in the early years of the digital revolution as it relates to farming, and we are seeing the convergence of biotechnology and digital sciences transform our ability to measure, monitor and control our farms.
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U.S. Statement given by Ambassador Kip Tom at the Opening of the June 2019 WFP Executive Board
The role of the United Nations and its partners is indispensable in reaching the most vulnerable people. We rely on organizations like WFP within the United Nations (UN)family to help mitigate the worst impacts of crises and keep beneficiary needs at the center of all humanitarian interventions.
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Ambassador Kip Tom speaks at the launch of the Decade of Family Farming at the FAO
One of the challenges of farming is making your farm sustainable: making the right choices so the farm can grow, remain profitable, preserve its natural resources, so it can survive for generations.
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The 15th McGovern lecturer: Dr. Christopher Barrett
Dr. Christopher Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, delivered the 15th Annual McGovern Lecture at FAO on Science and Solidarity: Innovations to Meet Global Food Security Challenges. April 4th, 2019 “Food security may be the defining global challenge of the century.” This was Dr. …
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The United States Supports the Venezuelan People with Humanitarian Assistance – Fact Sheet
RECOGNIZING THE REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS: Former President Nicolas Maduro’s systematic economic mismanagement, corruption, and violent oppression have caused severe shortages of food and medicine and needless human suffering, resulting in an exodus of millions of Venezuelans to neighboring countries.
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USUN Rome Mentors Liceo Democrito Students Representing the U.S. in WFP-Based Model UN
USUN Rome is supporting the international Model UN taking place at the World Food Program organized by non-profit Global Action Italy.
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The BUILD Act makes room for fair deals
The United States has a new way to bring more U.S. private-sector investment to developing countries around the world. The Trump administration calls the approach “a new era in U.S. development finance.” Spearheading the effort: a new agency called the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). It will have access to $60 billion in financial capital …
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United States Is Ready To Provide Urgent Humanitarian Aid to the People of Venezuela
Today, Secretary of State Pompeo announced that the United States is ready to provide more than $20 million in initial humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela as they struggle to cope with severe food and medicine shortages and the other dire impacts of their country’s political and economic crisis caused by the illegitimate Maduro …
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board
Executive Director Beasley, thank you for your tireless efforts in places such as Yemen recently where you were able to raise awareness, highlighting the plight of the vulnerable and WFP’s leading role in accessing conflict zones in some of the most geopolitically and logistically challenging parts of the globe.
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Fan-Li Chou, Biotechnology Coordinator, USDA, participates in FAO Agricultural Innovation Symposium
“As a government entity, at USDA we don’t pick and choose what’s good – what’s bad,” said Chou. “We just tell you what’s useful. In the U.S. we always say we have a big umbrella: we have organic agriculture, we have conventional agriculture, we have biotech agriculture. They all coexist with each other. It is …
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Can once-toxic cottonseeds help feed the world?
A new variety of cotton plant that produces an abundance of edible seeds has just gotten approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for commercial farming. A team of researchers at Texas A&M University found a way to remove an element that made cottonseed toxic. If farmers wind up planting the seed widely, it could …
Read More» Presidential Proclamation on United Nations Day, 2018
On United Nations Day, we recognize the many ways the United Nations has contributed to peace and security among nations. Since it was founded more than 70 years ago with the aim of breaking the cycle of global conflict, the United Nations has provided a forum for nations to resolve conflicts peacefully in an increasingly complex world.
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Outlining American Interests at the United Nations General Assembly
This week marks the formal opening of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, with High-Level week beginning on September 24. The United States will be actively engaged across a wide spectrum of UNGA events and activities, and will frame that engagement around five broad policy priorities: non-proliferation; humanitarian assistance and food security; …
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Ways to Stem Fall Armyworm spread in Africa and elsewhere: Entomology Professor Galen P. Dively engages the Food and Agriculture Organization
The emergence and rapid spread of the Fall Armyworm in Africa (FAW) threatens the food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. That’s why USUN Rome supported University of Maryland Professor Emeritus and Integrated Pest Management Consultant, Dr. Galen P. Dively’s travel to Africa, where he observed the situation and met with farmers, academics, …
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board
Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the World Food Program Executive Board June 18, 2018 (As prepared for delivery) We would like to welcome the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, and Princess Haya Al Hussain, the United Nations Messenger of Peace, to this meeting and to Rome. We thank you for …
Read More» THE U.S. ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Today, the U.S. government announced nearly $67 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the DRC Humanitarian Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland. With the assistance announced today, the United States is providing food, protection, shelter, health care, and other urgent aid for vulnerable Congolese and …
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Launch of the 2018 Global Report on Food Crises
The 2018 Global Report on Food Crises presents evidence that speaks to some of our deepest concerns: the number of food insecure people is rising rapidly — up 11 percent from 2017 – and new or intensified conflicts have played a major role in that increase. The number of people experiencing food insecurity is on the …
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USAID and FAO Working Together to Pre-empt the Next Global Pandemic
A United States-FAO partnership working to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to manage outbreaks of diseases in farm animals has in just 12 months succeeded in training over 4,700 veterinary health professionals in 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The FAO-provided technical trainings covered a gamut of key competencies, including disease …
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The United States is elected to the Executive Board Bureau at the World Food Program
At the recent First Regular Session of the Executive Board of the World Food Program (WFP), held February 27 to March 1, the United States, represented by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy, was elected to the 2018-2019 Executive Board Bureau.
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board
Mr. President, congratulations to you on your new appointment, and thank you to the outgoing Board President. Thank you also to Mark Lowcock for his insightful observations. We encourage WFP to take further action to implement its humanitarian reform commitments related to the Grand Bargain. The United States is especially interested in efforts to advance …
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U.S. helps deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Yemen
Food, medicine and other relief supplies will be reaching people in need in Yemen more quickly, with the help of U.S.-funded cranes at the Hudaydah port on the Red Sea.
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The U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome is pleased to introduce Mr. John Robbins, U.S. candidate for the ICCROM Council
John Robbins is an expert on heritage conservation and brings decades of experience in public service and private practice. Mr. Robbins also brings expertise in in institutional management, research and the repatriation of archaeological materials. Mr. Robbins established the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in 1994 to create, improve, and disseminate technologies for …
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board
We have entered a period of food insecurity not seen since the founding of the United Nations at the end of the Second World War, with 80 million people across the globe now living in highly food insecure environments. Twenty million are in fact so severely food insecure that many of them are in danger …
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U.S. Support for UN Farmer Field Schools Promotes Rural Development in Haiti
By Heather Eaton. Getting out of Rome and into the field to see international humanitarian projects in action is an essential part of representing the United States at the United Nations food and agricultural agencies in Rome. Visiting the operating grounds of these projects and meeting beneficiaries allows us to see firsthand how U.S. contributions to …
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U.S. farmers feed the world
American farmers are selling more of their crops to the rest of the world than ever before in the history of U.S. agriculture. “Today, America’s farmers feed not only our nation, but millions of people around the world,” President Trump said earlier this year as he signed an executive order aimed at promoting American agriculture and lowering …
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Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy joins leaders of WFP, FAO and IFAD on joint visit to Ethiopia
USUN Chargé d’Affaires Thomas M. Duffy joined the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Director-General José Graziano da Silva, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s President Gilbert F. Houngbo and the World Food Programme (WFP)’s Executive Director David Beasley) when they made a joint visit to Ethiopia from September 1-4 . The heads of the …
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CASH-FOR-TRAINING SUPPORTS VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Nutrition and entrepreneurship training helps families stay healthy and build businesses “The cash we receive has helped me a lot. When I receive the money, I buy food and sugar for the family, and it has supplemented my modest income from plaiting women’s hair.” July 2017—For one week each month, Clementina Peter Loku, a 56-year-old …
Read More» UNITED STATES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQI PEOPLE
Today, the United States announced more than $119 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq. The United States Government has now provided more than $1.4 billion in humanitarian assistance for the Iraq crisis since fiscal year 2014.
Read More» UNITED STATES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $639 MILLION ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FOOD INSECURITY AND VIOLENCE
Today, the United States announced nearly $639 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the millions of people affected by food insecurity and violence in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. This additional funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to over $1.8 billion for these four crises since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017.
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Facing Famine
IMAGINE if every single person in Florida, the 3rd largest state in the United States, teetered on the brink of famine. That’s what’s happening in four countries — South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen — where more than 20 million people are at risk of starvation. Conflict is driving the crises in these four countries. This violence, in addition to drought in Somalia, …
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Remarks by Jason Hafemeister, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs USDA, to the 40th FAO Conference
The world must bridge the gap between humanitarian and development assistance, while also sustaining our long-term efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. The Rome-based agencies are critical to filling this gap. The United States remains firmly committed to combatting poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, improving agricultural productivity, expanding opportunities for rural economic growth, and bettering …
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador Nikki Haley at a UN Security Council Meeting on the Risk of Famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and Northeast Nigeria
The United States will continue to lead in bringing together resources to help overcome this crisis…The longer we wait to act, the higher the cost. Humanitarian relief organizations, partnered with the UN, continue using every avenue to get aid to those in need. When roads are closed, they charter airplanes to drop food from the …
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Remarks by Nerissa Cook, Dep. Asst. Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, at the Opening of the World Food Program Executive Board
The Executive Director inherits this challenging role at a time that will require much not just of him but of all of us. Throughout its 50+ years, WFP has been among the best examples of what can be accomplished with sustained, collective action. And yet, food insecurity is perhaps a more pressing, more broadly rooted …
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USAID Success Story: Providing Safe Drinking Water With Community Support in South Sudan
For vulnerable and conflict-affected populations residing in South Sudan’s Mayendit County, one of the famine-affected counties in Unity State, access to safe drinking water often requires long, arduous hours of walking to the nearest borehole. Due to insecurity and the amount of time required to reach clean water, many individuals in Mayendit frequently resort to …
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Iowa State University Students Visit the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies
A group of students from Iowa State University’s Dean’s Global Agricultural and Food Leadership Program visited the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome in May to learn about the role the United States plays in the international effort to address global food security. Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy discussed the importance of challenging assumptions …
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Media Tour to Indonesia
Five reporters traveled to Indonesia with USUN Rome Public Affairs Officer Heather Eaton on May 14 for a six-day media tour to see firsthand how the United States works with the Rome-based UN agencies to promote food security, health and economic opportunity. The journalists – hailing from Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia – took a …
Read More» Statement From Ambassador Nikki Haley on the Release of World Food Program Aid Worker Peter Alex From South Sudan
UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK Office of the Press and Public Diplomacy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2017 Statement From Ambassador Nikki Haley on the Release of World Food Program Aid Worker Peter Alex From South Sudan We are relieved to learn that Peter Alex, a World Food Program aid …
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USUN Mission participates in FAO field trip to Morocco and Sudan
USUN Political/Economic Officer Daleya Uddin recently joined other representatives from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s member countries on visits to observe the particular food security and agriculture challenges in Morocco and Sudan. Her video report below provides a glimpse into those challenges, as well as the innovative FAO projects making a …
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United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Yemen
Today the United States announced nearly $94 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help the people of Yemen, who have suffered through two years of civil war and are experiencing the largest food security emergency in the world. This additional funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian contribution to nearly $526 million since the 2016 fiscal …
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First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis
Today is World Heritage Day, when we pause to consider the importance of cultural heritage, as well as its vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it. One of the many ways the United States works to preserve cultural heritage and property around the world is through its support to ICCROM – conserving culture, …
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The United States Joins the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
On March 13, 2017 the United States joined the International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture that was approved at the 2001 Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). USUN Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy deposited the instrument of ratification by presenting it to the Director General of …
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The U.S. Embassy in Abuja Provides $116,000 Grant for Preservation of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage
On February 13, 2017 the United States Embassy in Abuja announced a $116, 000 grant through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation program, for the preservation of cultural heritage in Nigeria. U.S. Ambassador W. Stuart Symington witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding of the grant between the International Center for the Study of …
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Remarks by Karla Thieman, Chief of Staff, U.S.D.A., at the FAO Conference on Rural Women
As agriculture professionals, we play a pivotal role in ending hunger and poverty. As this challenge has been confronted by numerous international organizations, faith-based groups and governments, women have emerged as playing a major role in agriculture around the globe. But often, their voices are still not heard and they are still not invited to …
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USUN Rome hosts the 2016-2017 U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations
Every year the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), selects a young American to serve as a Youth Observer to the United Nations. The Youth Observer position was created to increase youth interest and participation in international relations. This year’s Youth Observer, Ms. Nicol Perez, spent …
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International day of the Girl Child #DadsandDaughters
For the International Day of the Girl Child 2016, the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome’s Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy and his daughter, Elena, share thoughts on the importance of having girls’ participation. #DadsandDaughters. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of …
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Nobel scientists: Genetically modified foods save lives
An open letter signed by more than 100 Nobel Prize winners — that’s one-third of living science laureates — calls on governments around the world to approve genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and exhorts environmental opponents to stop fighting biotechnological innovations. “How many poor people in the world must die before we consider this a ‘crime …
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El-Nino Brings Drought and Hunger to Madagascar
Rising temperatures and less predictable rainfall patterns have disrupted agricultural planting cycles in Madagascar for the past three years, resulting in significant crop failures and a food shortage. And this year El Nino has made matters even worse. Rainfall has been up to 75 percent lower than the average of the last 20 years and …
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The United States has ratified the FAO Port State Measures Agreement
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, David Lane, on March 7, formally presented Jose Graziano Da Silva, Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the United States’ instrument of ratification of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing . The United States became the 22nd nation to ratify the treaty when President Barack Obama …
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Remarks by Minister Counselor John Norris on Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste at FAO
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate today. First, I want to commend the G20 for its leadership and the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Food Policy Research Institute for your willingness to take on this important challenge with today’s launch of the Technical Platform on Food Loss and Waste. As …
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Remarks at FAO by Deana Jordan Sullivan, Health Advisor at the US Mission to the UN Agencies in Geneva
I want to thank you for the invitation to be here during the FAO Council meeting, the conversation has been stimulating, and I am honored to be sitting with such distinguished colleagues. I was last here at FAO a year ago, for the second International Conference on Nutrition, I had come then as I do …
Read More» Ambassador David Lane Gives Remarks at Loyola University Rome Center on the Occasion of Hunger Week
Good evening, and thank you for inviting me to speak to you during Hunger Week. I understand this is a long-held, honorable tradition at your university and one that you should be proud of: a week of awareness-raising, volunteering and fundraising around hunger issues. I am honored to be here with you, and eager to …
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Dr. Rajiv Shah gives the 12th Annual George McGovern Lecture at the UN Food and Agriculture Agency
It is an honour to be able to give the McGovern lecture. I first met Senator George McGovern, Ambassador George McGovern in the mid 2000s and his photo here perhaps expresses what we all know to be his good humor and his commitment to this fight against hunger. I met him through a mutual friend, …
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador David Lane at the World Food Program Executive Board
Thank you Mr. President, and thank you Madame Executive Director for your thoughtful and comprehensive presentations. Please allow me to join others in welcoming Stephen O’Brien to WFP and to his new role as Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, although I’m sure he’s not feeling too new at this point after a few intense months …
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Tajikistan: Women Farmers Gain Rights to Their Land With Support From USAID
We know that when women farmers are given equal access to land and other agricultural resources, farming productivity and family nutrition in communities improves by as much as 30%. We also know that people with secure access to land are more likely to invest in that land and its sustainable use. And yet, around the …
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On the Ground in South Sudan: Delivering Humanitarian and Food Assistance Against the Odds
Over one and one-half million people have been displaced inside South Sudan, to escape the fighting; over 100,000 people have sought refuge on United Nations compounds. An additional 500,000 people have fled the country and are refugees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Despite the herculean efforts of WFP, neighboring countries, and the humanitarian community, …
Read More» Photo Exhibit by Public Affairs Officer Sharon Ketchum features women in agriculture
Leading up to International Women’s day, photos by USUN Rome’s Political Affairs Officer Sharon Ketchum were displayed at John Cabot University. The exhibition, highlighting the role women have in feeding the world, was introduced by Ambassador David Lane and attended by several USUN Rome employees, members of the UN community in Rome, and students and …
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador David Lane on the International Day of Family Remittances
Good afternoon. I am happy to be here with you today in recognition of the “International Day of Family Remittances.” Before I share a few words with you on the importance and impact of remittances, I would like to first thank IFAD both for taking the initiative to draw global attention to the importance of …
Read More» USUN Rome Ambassador David Lane highlights links between water management, food security at “Road to Expo: Water for Food” conference
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, David Lane, participated in the “Road to Expo: Water for Food” conference in Rome, an event organized in cooperation with the National Research Council (CNR) at the American Studies Center and the U.S. Embassy to Italy. The conference promoted the role of science and technology in improving …
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The Future of Agriculture in Mozambique: Entrepreneurs
Farmers in Mozambique, like those in other developing countries I have visited, consistently said they want one thing most of all – to move beyond subsistence farming to a modern agricultural economy. They seek business skills to improve and diversify their production, so that they can increase their incomes and provide more opportunities for their …
Read More» The Future of Agriculture in Mozambique: Entrepreneurs
As part of “Feed the Future,” the U.S. government’s global food security and nutrition initiative, the USAID-supported Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition project helped Lucas with technical certifications, marketing research and product packaging. Lucas then turned to AgDevCo, a social impact investor, to raise the capital he needed. Lucas projects that with these investments, he …
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Farmer Field School Enhances Food Security in Mozambique
In the middle of a sun-drenched field in central Mozambique, Otilia Vasco, a farmer from Choridzo village, pointed to an easel illustrating demonstration plots the villagers were sowing under the guidance of a facilitator from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and explained excitedly how these test plots would help them choose the best …
Read More» Opening Statement by U.S. Ambassador Lane at the Second Regular Session of the World Food Programme Executive Board Meeting
This morning I would like to begin by acknowledging the heroic work and sacrifice of WFP staff and contractors across the organization this past year, and likewise for WFP’s implementing partners. In particular and with great sadness, we acknowledge Mr. Ayman Omar, Mr. Abdul Qader Haj Jneid, Mr. Ahmad Haj Jneid, and Mr. Housien Hammoud …
Read More» Elections Are Held at IDLO’s Annual Assembly of Parties; U.S. becomes Vice President
On Thursday, November 6th, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, David Lane, presided over his last meeting as President of the Assembly of Parties of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). Member parties, non-members and several distinguished guests attended the meeting, which highlighted the accomplishments of IDLO over the past year and detailed …
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Assistance Supports Dignity for Syrian Refugees, Markets for Jordan
Jordan, a relatively small country of 6.5 million people, has welcomed more than 620,000 Syrian refugees since 2011 (Jordan also hosts Palestinian and Iraqi refugees). This statistic only includes registered refugees, although many thousands more are believed to have entered Jordan without registering. This is equivalent to 27 million people entering the United States, more …
Read More» 2014 Hunger Run
On October 19th, USUN Rome participated in the Hunger Run for the ninth consecutive year. The Hunger Run is an annual event, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as additional sponsors. It is designed to …
Read More» 2014 McGovern Lecturer, Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, addresses “Local Produce, Local Markets: Fostering Regional Agricultural Systems”
“Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of Sustainability at George Washington University, and former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was this year’s lecturer for the 11th Annual George McGovern Lecture sponsored by the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome (USUN). ” Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of Sustainability at George Washington …
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Determined Women Are Making a Difference in Burkina Faso
We know that when provided key resources, women can improve their lives and the future for their children. Two remarkable women I recently met in Burkina Faso showed me that innovation does not have to be large, complex or expensive, it simply needs to be well-designed with energetic and determined people to implement them on …
Read More» U.S. Special Representative for Global Food Security leads Dialogue on Nutrition at the FAO
Dr. Nancy Stetson, the U.S. Secretary of State’s Special Representative for Global Food Security and head of the U.S. Delegation to the 41st Plenary of the Committee on World Food Security, led a Dialogue on Nutrition at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) last week in Rome .The October 14 event was the first in …
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador David Lane for the 4th of July, 2014
Buona Sera! Honored Guests, Fellow Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives, Friends and Colleagues – Good Evening. On the Fourth of July each year, Americans gather with family and friends to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On behalf of our team at the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies I would …
Read More» WFP Executive Board, U.S. Opening Statement by Ambassador David Lane
Thank you, Madam President. Madam Executive Director, and Distinguished Colleagues: Please allow me to begin by thanking Commissioner Georgieva for her tireless work to help the world meet humanity’s greatest challenges. Georgieva spoke powerfully of the partnerships. The United States is grateful for the partnerships you have championed between Europe, the United States, the United …
Read More» Memorial Day Commemoration, Remarks by Ambassador David Lane
General Corsini, Vice Admiral Davidson, Commissioner Dorgan, I am greatly honored to be here today. I am particularly grateful to see that we are joined today by two veterans of the fighting here, as well as four family members of soldiers who participated in the Italian campaign. Italy, the United States and indeed the world …
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Helping the Most Vulnerable Lift Themselves Up in Cambodia
Traveling in the developing world to observe food security challenges and review projects and progress often stirs mixed emotions, and our just-completed trip through Cambodia was no exception. Alongside the excitement of learning about dramatic gains in agriculture productivity and cautious optimism from seeing important nutrition lessons adopted, I have to acknowledge the bracing effect …
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Innovation Will Transform Agriculture in Cambodia
One of the goals of my recent journey to Cambodia focused on exploring opportunities for transforming Cambodia’s agriculture sector. Cambodia’s challenge is to produce enough nutritious and broadly accessible food to support a healthy, productive population and drive the growth of the national economy
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In Cambodia Education Supports Food Security
I was dismayed to learn that up to 40 percent of children in Cambodia might not reach their full potential due to a condition referred to as stunting. Stunting occurs when a lack of nutritious food limits a child’s growth and development. While I had heard about the effects of stunting, I was not fully …
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Engaging with the UN to Preserve Culture: Angkor Wat
The United States is also a proud member of ICCROM, an intergovernmental organization based in Rome that is dedicated to the conservation of cultural heritage, and in Cambodia this includes Angkor Wat. By attracting global tourists to the region, properly preserving the temples at Angkor Wat will promote job creation and economic development.
Read More» “From the American People”, U.S. Ambassador David J. Lane Leads Food Security Focused Media Tour to Tanzania
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome David J. Lane Leads Food Security Focused Media Tour to Tanzania Ambassador David J. Lane, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies, led a media tour to Tanzania from January 7 – 12, 2013. He visited rural …
Read More» Remarks by David J. Lane U.S. Ambassador to the UN Food and Agriculture Organizations in Rome, Press Conference, Blantyre, Malawi
Thank you all for joining Ambassador Jeanine Jackson, World Food Programme Deputy Director Baton Osmani, and USAID Mission Director Douglass Arbuckle and me today. As the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to share some thoughts with you. In my position, …
Read More» Ambassador David Lane Opening Remarks to the IDLO Assembly of Parties
Laws are the instrument by which citizens, through their government, protect themselves from, and regulate their relationships with each other. But, we rely on the rule of law not only to protect us, but to empowerus, by creating an environment that is fair, equal, consistent, and transparent for people to pursue their lives and reach …
Read More» Ambassador David J. Lane tells the XI Annual Worldwide Forum on Education and Culture in Rome that the global community must work together to solve cr
David J. Lane, United States Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome (USUN) addressed an audience representing over 20 countries at the XI Annual Worldwide Forum on Education and Culture on November 29th in Rome. This year’s XI Forum focused on “Learning and Living Around the World: New Perspectives for New Challenges.” Ambassador Lane stressed …
Read More» Ambassador Lane urges students to continue to focus on global challenges at the celebration of 50 years of University of California Education Abroad P
David J. Lane, the United States Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome (USUN) was honored to be a guest speaker at the 50thanniversary of the University of California Education Abroad Programs in Rome. The anniversary celebration took place in the beautiful Borromini-designed 17th century Vallicelliana Library in Rome. Ambassador Lane reminded students, faculty and …
Read More» Statement by U.S. Ambassador Ertharin Cousin on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the World Food Programme
Today we celebrate the founding of the World Food Programme (WFP) 50 years ago, and take the occasion to renew our commitment to WFP’s mandate of saving, restoring and rebuilding lives around the world. The United States played a critical role in the establishment of WFP when, in 1961, George McGovern, then the director of …
Read More» USUN Rome Senior Staff Address John Cabot University Students on International Organizations
Senior staff of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies (USUN Rome) addressed John Cabot University students on the functions of the three main Rome-based UN agencies – the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Approximately twenty students are …
Read More» Ambassador Ertharin Cousin’s Remarks to the 27th ICCROM General Assembly
Mr. Director-General, Mr. President, distinguished delegates; I am honored to represent the United States Government at this 27th General Assembly of ICCROM, an organization of which the United States has been a proud member since 1971. For the United States, the conversations we will hold and the decisions we make here on global cooperation in …
Read More» The United States Participates in the 39th Session of the Committee on World Food Security
David J. Lane, the Ambassador of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome (USUN Rome), represented the United States at the 39th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) during World Food Week. The CFS is the world’s preeminent policy forum aimed at ending world hunger. Its …
Read More» 2012 McGovern Lecturer, Tony P. Hall, addresses “The Changing Face of Hunger”
USUN Rome’s 10th Annual George McGovern Lecture at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) featured Tony P. Hall, Executive Director of The Alliance to End Hunger . Tony Hall served twenty-four years of service as a U.S. Congressman and was Ambassador to the USUN Rome Mission from 2002-2005. The U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome (USUN Rome), …
Read More» USUN Honors Former Ambassador George McGovern
Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome George McGovern died on Sunday at the age of 90. George McGovern’s dedication to combating global hunger helped drive food and agriculture development around the world. The loss of this important global champion of the poor is particularly felt …
Read More» USUN Rome Team raises 2,290 Euros for the Horn of Africa, 2012 Hunger Run
For the seventh year in a row , USUN Rome joined the annual Hunger Run sponsored by the UN Agencies in Rome, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Biodiversity International, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This year the USUN team had over 175 participants, who donated …
Read More» Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi
I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the …
Read More» Ambassador David J. Lane Presents Credentials
The Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, David J. Lane, presented his diplomatic credentials to the heads of the UN Agencies in Rome this week. On Monday, August 6, 2012 Ambassador Lane presented his credentials to José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the UN Food and …
Read More» Ambassador David J. Lane Presents Diplomatic Credentials to Director-General of ICCROM
The Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, David J. Lane, presented his diplomatic credentials to Stefano De Caro, the Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) at the Centre’s headquarters in Rome on Thursday, August 23, 2012 …
Read More» Chargé d’Affaires Karen Johnson Travels to Zimbabwe, Mozambique
In late June 2012, USUN Rome Chargé d’Affaires, Karen Johnson, traveled to Zimbabwe and Mozambique on a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) field visit. Together with six other country representatives to the FAO—from the EU, Indonesia, Iran, France, Morocco, and Switzerland—Ms. Johnson met with local government officials and visited FAO projects in these countries. In …
Read More» USUN Rome celebrates the Fourth of July
Chargé d’Affaires Karen Johnson hosted this year’s 4th of July reception for the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome at Villa Laura, her residence. “On this July 4th, in honor of the 236th anniversary of the United States of America, and with grateful appreciation to all of you, our colleagues, for the work …
Read More» Opening Intervention by USUN Rome Chargé d’Affaires, Karen E. Johnson WFP Executive Board Annual Session
Thank you, Mr. President and good morning everyone. I am pleased to warmly welcome Executive Director Ertharin Cousin and congratulate her once again on her appointment to this position. The United States, and particularly the US Mission to the UN in Rome, looks forward to continuing our close partnership with the World Food Program in …
Read More» Chargé d’Affaires Karen Johnson Honors Military Servicemen and Women at American-Italian Memorial Day Ceremony
USUN Rome Chargé d’Affaires Karen Johnson presented the keynote address at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy on Monday, May 28, 2012. Deputy Minister of Defense for Italy, Dr. Gianluigi Magri, also addressed the audience, along with Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and …
Read More» Water Pans and Trapezoidal Bunds: Life-Changing Tools in Kenya
BY ELIZABETH PETROVSKI Though one sounds like a medical contraption and the other a geometry problem, water pans and trapezoidal bunds are actually vital instruments Kenyan herders and farmers can use to collect and preserve rainwater for human and livestock consumption and crop irrigation in areas regularly impacted by droughts. I recently had the opportunity …
Read More» Ambassador Cousin speaks about Women and Multilateralism at Women’s Leadership Conference in Bern, Switzerland
Ertharin Cousin, United States Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, spoke about “Women and Multilateralism: Harvesting What We Sow” at an awards ceremony on March 6th that opened a women’s leadership conference in Bern, Switzerland. The three-day bilateral women’s leadership conference: “Sister Republics: Building Bridges – an action plan for women’s leadership” was organized …
Read More» Ambassador Ertharin Cousin joins Bill Gates at the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) 35th Governing Council
USUN Rome participated in the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) 35th Governing Council held in Rome February 22-23. The conference theme was, “Sustainable smallholder agriculture: feeding the world, protecting the planet.” There were powerful voices who spoke out in support of smallholder farmers: United States Ambassador to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Agencies, Ertharin …
Read More» Opening Intervention by USAID/DCHA Assistant Administrator Nancy Lindborg WFP Executive Board First Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. President. Congratulations, Mr. President (Shobhan Pattanayak, Minister Counselor, Republic of India) and all the other newly elected members of the Executive Board Bureau. The United States looks forward to working closely with you to advance collectively our efforts against world hunger. And we express our utmost gratitude for the outstanding leadership of …
Read More» World Food Prize Laureate 2003 Catherine Bertini Talks About the Vital Importance of Investing in Girls
World Food Prize Laureate 2003 and Co-chair of the Global Agriculture Development Initiative for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Chair of the Council’s Girls in Rural Economies project, Catherine Bertini visited Ambassador Ertharin Cousin and staff at the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Italy (USUN Rome) …
Read More» Opening Intervention by Ambassador Ertharin Cousin World Food Programme Executive Board Second Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. President. Let me join Brazil in recognizing the address of His Excellency President Napolitano as delivered by Ambassador Sebastiani, as well as the presence of High Commissioner Guterres. Their words today are a testament to their strong partnership with and high regard for WFP. As noted by you, Madame Executive Director, 2011 …
Read More» Unidroit Hosts Colloquium on Private Law and Agriculture
In a historic building just off Rome’s Piazza Venezia, a group of legal experts and government representatives gathered at the headquarters of UNIDROIT on November 8 for a colloquium to discuss private law aspects of agricultural production. UNIDROIT, also known as the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, is involved in modernizing, harmonizing …
Read More» U.S. Team Raises Nearly €2,000 for 2011 Run for Food Race
Each year, to commemorate World Food Day, the three United States Missions in Italy – the U.S. Embassy to Italy, the U.S. Mission to the U.N. Agencies and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See – join together to participate in FAO’s Run for Food race. The annual event serves as a reminder that nearly …
Read More» 2011 McGovern Lecturer, Roger Thurow, is ‘Raising the Clamor’
USUN Rome’s 9th Annual George McGovern Lecture at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) featured Roger Thurow, Senior Fellow on Global Agriculture and Food Policy at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Mr. Thurow is also the co-author of “ENOUGH: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty.” The U.S. Mission to …
Read More» The United States Government participates in the Towards a Safer World conference on pandemic preparedness in Rome
This week in Rome, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN Food Agencies in Rome Ertharin Cousin, and leaders from USAID, World Food Program, World Health Organization, and the United Nations System Influenza Coordination (UNSIC) joined over 180 experts from governments, UN agencies, civil society, the private sector …
Read More» Ambassador Cousin Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of September 11th with students from Loyola University’s Rome campus
On September 13, over 100 students, faculty and staff from Loyola University’s campus in Rome listened to Ambassador Ertharin Cousin’s moving remarks to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11th. Ambassador Cousin poignantly told the students that “the rising democracies of today – like the ones rising up out of the Arab Spring – are …
Read More» Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan at 37th FAO Conference
Mr. Chairman, Director-General, distinguished colleagues: It is an honor and a pleasure to join my colleagues from all over the world at this 37th Conference of the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. I am pleased to join others in welcoming the Director General-elect José Graziano da Silva. The United States looks forward to …
Read More» Closing the Gender Gap in Agriculture: A Call to Action for Investing in Women
The FAO’s 2010-2011 State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report, Women in Agriculture: Closing the Gender Gap for Development, revealed some compelling and informative findings about the critical but underutilized role women play in the food and agriculture industry globally. It also gave some convincing reasons for why investing in women agriculturalists — including farmers, …
Read More» Opening Intervention by Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, WFP Executive Board Annual Session
Thank you, Madame President. The United States thanks the Executive Director for her strong statement today, and the United States welcomes the presence of WFP Hunger Ambassador Peter Bakker. Madame Executive Director, Since the last meeting of the Executive Board in February, we have once again experienced great personal losses. The United States expresses its …
Read More» Ambassador Cousin is Keynote Speaker at the 2011 Latin American Food Bank and Food Security Conference in Colombia
Ambassador Ertharin Cousin served as keynote speaker at the Latin American Food Bank and Food Security Conference in Bogota, Colombia on May 26. Among other important topics, in her address she discussed her work as U.S. government representative to the UN Food and Agriculture agencies in Rome—the organizations that are at the heart of international …
Read More» University of Minnesota Confers Honorary Degree of Law to Ambassador Cousin
On May 20th, Ambassador Ertharin Cousin visited the University of Minnesota where she received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree—the highest honor conferred by the university. She spoke to the university about the U.S. government’s important work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies headquartered in Rome, Italy. The Ambassador also commended the University …
Read More» Ambassador Cousin Joins League of Black Women’s 8th Annual Global Leadership Conference
On Wednesday, May 18th Ambassador Ertharin Cousin joined the League of Black Women at their 8th Annual Global Leadership conference, “Black Women 2011: New World Power . . . When Your World Is Not Enough”. The Conference took place in Tampa, Florida. There she joined over 100 African American female professionals and students all present …
Read More» John Cabot University Commencement Address
Good evening President Pavoncello, Rabbi Di Segni, Dr. Hagan, members of the 2011 graduating class, families, friends and faculty. Thank you for inviting me here this evening; it is my honor and pleasure to be here with all of you. This is truly an international school located in what was the heart of the Roman …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, Ertharin Cousin and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz Celebrate Earth Day 2011 with Rome’s Inte
On Tuesday, April 12, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome, Ertharin Cousin, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz joined representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) as well as teachers and students from three international schools in Rome to celebrate the …
Read More» American Ambassadors participating in “Clean Faces for Our Buildings” to clean the walls of Rome
Saturday, April 2nd, the three U.S. Ambassadors accredited to the Italian Republic, the Holy See and the United Nations agencies, together with the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno, took part in the “Clean Faces for Our Buildings” event to clean up the tags from the walls of Piazza Annibaliano in the II Municipio. After last …
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