FAO Forestry Chief to Lead UN-Wide Preps for Expo 2015

Food security and sustainability top agenda as Rojas-Briales takes helm

Rome – Creating sustainable and secure food systems will be high on the agenda for Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy, said Eduardo Rojas-Briales, FAO Assistant Director-General for Forestry, who has been named Commissioner-General for the United Nations’ preparations for the event.

The theme of Expo 2015 will be ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. Participants will focus on issues like food security, women and nutrition, sustainable development, and climate change, which tie directly into the work done by FAO and other UN system agencies.

"Our challenge for Expo 2015 is to provoke thought and inspire action, as part of an ongoing process to create sustainable and secure food systems,” said Rojas, who was appointed Commissioner-General by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“The UN will work with its partners and the Expo 2015 host country, Italy, to share what we’ve learned in our efforts to improve lives. We hope to help governments, organizations, companies and families make more conscious and consistent decisions on food security, nutrition, sustainable development and other issues that are critical to our planet,” Rojas added.

FAO, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Bioversity International, will lead the effort to showcase the activities and best practices of the United Nations in fields related to the themes of the Expo.

Expo 2015

The Expo, also known as the World’s Fair, was first held 160 years ago and is a global, non-commercial exposition that aims to promote the exchange of ideas on culture, the economy, science and technology. Around 140 countries are expected to take part in Expo 2015, including around 80 developing countries. International organizations, civil society, the private sector and the media will also be there.

In addition to serving as Assistant Director-General at FAO, Mr. Rojas-Briales is the current Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, an informal arrangement comprising 14 international organizations, agencies and secretariats that promote the sustainable management of all types of forests.