The 8th board meeting of SAARC Food Bank has started in the Maldives.
The two day meeting held in Marble Hotel will focus on creating and managing regional food security reserve for the SAARC Member Countries during normal time food shortages and emergencies.
SAARC Food Bank Chairperson Ms. Niharika stated that Bay of Bengal has an annual 50 cyclones, causing insurmountable damages, in addition to other damages from natural disasters. She said that it was essential that people were given proper access to food in times of crisis.
She added that India had been a key partner in ensuring food security in SAARC region. Niharika thanked STO for the excellent preparations for the meeting.
Speaking in the ceremony, STO Managing Director Ahmed Shaheer said that this is the first meeting of the Board to be held in Maldives. He thanked SAARC Secretariat for their decision to hold the meeting in the country. Shaheer appealed all member states to cooperate in ensuring food security for the region.
SAARC Secretary General Representative appealed all members to resolve the issues facing the sector.
The next meeting of the Board is to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.