World Food Programme (WFP) - Annual Session of the Executive Board

H.E. Mr Robert FILLON, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco in Italy, Permanent Representative to the FAO and WFP, and H.E. Ms Stephanie HOCHSTETTER SKINNER-KLEE, Ambassador of Guatemala and Chair of the Executive Board. ©DR

From 13 to 18 June 2016, the Principality of Monaco took part in the work of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP). This United Nations agency has provided financial aid to nearly 80 million people in 80 countries, and 80% of contributions have been allocated to emergency relief efforts.

The highlight of the session was the opening address delivered by His Holiness Pope Francis, visiting the WFP headquarters for the first time. The Pope called for the “denaturalisation of poverty” and “debureaucratisation of hunger” in today's interconnected world. He asked countries to prove their compassion and further strengthen their political will to increase their commitments to the WFP and to achieving “Zero Hunger” by 2030.

The WFP will bring its Strategic Plan 2017–2021 and its financing framework into line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, and SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.”

A second ordinary session of the Executive Board will be held from 14 to 18 November 2016.

The WFP’s new policy seeks to roll out strategic plans by country, improving the efficiency of its relief provision in emergency situations and protracted crises, with a multisector approach to recovery programmes, as well as recognition of the risks in a bid to strengthen resilience in food and nutritional security.

As part of its international cooperation activities, the Prince’s Government offers increasing levels of support to the WFP, through both its emergency response activities and its development programmes, such as the school canteen project in Burundi, maternal health and nutrition for women in Madagascar and food security in Mauritania.