FAO-UPM Agreement
FAO-UPM Agreement
FAO-UPM Agreement
UPM and FAO sign an agreement September 27, 2016, to achieve food and nutritional security The general objective of this agreement is to facilitate access to the knowledge and experience of UPM researchers, so that they can be applied in specific activities related to development cooperation in the fields of agriculture, food, environment and climate change.
The rector of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), Guillermo Cisneros, and the director of the Division of Associations, Activities for the Promotion and Development of Capacities of the Organization of the Nations Unit for Food and Agriculture (FAO), Marcela Villarreal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to achieve food and nutritional security, help eliminate hunger and improve the standard of living of the poorest populations in our world.
The general objective of this agreement is to facilitate access to the knowledge and experience of UPM researchers, so that they can be applied in specific activities related to development cooperation in the fields of agriculture, food, environment and climate change.
The first need in this world is to eat. Techniques to eliminate hunger must be taught while providing sustainability. From the UPM there is no engineering project that is conceived without part of sustainability, "said its rector.
Strategic objective for FAO, eliminating hunger and malnutrition is also a priority for UPM, an institution committed to the sustainable development goals approved by the United Nations. The signing of this agreement allows for closer collaboration between FAO and UPM for years.
"For us, this university is a natural partner, in that FAO is a knowledge organization and the University generates this knowledge that is very necessary and that responds to the changing needs of the world," says Marcela Villarreal.
Precisely, for the FAO director, these changes are observed in the objectives of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which “fortunately replaces” those contained in the Millennium Development Goals, which did not contemplate even sustainable agriculture, the rural area or access to natural resources. Education is “fundamental, but not the only factor of empowerment for rural populations, especially women. The new, more comprehensive vision that the new agenda gives us is needed ”, he stressed.
Activities to achieve the objectives: End the malnutrition and food insecurity of millions of people.
To do this, the two institutions will initiate several lines of action in different areas:
The first of them is to work on the analysis and preparation of policy proposals, programs and projects to strengthen governance for rural development and food and nutrition security in Latin American and Caribbean countries, the geographic area to which this project will initially be extended.
- The UPM will participate in the Research Group on Planning and Sustainable Management of Local Rural Development (GESPLAN), which is led by Professor Adolfo Cazorla. More Information
- By the FAO, the Agricultural and Development Economics Division (ESA) and the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC).