The United Nations launched a " Zero Hunger Challenge" campaign in Asia and the Pacific here on Monday, pledging to end hunger in the region.

The initiative was launched during the ongoing 69th Commission session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The three-day conference gathers more than 40 of the region's top national leaders.

Hiroyuki Konuma, assistant director-general and regional representative for Asia and the Pacific of the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, noted that one in every eight people in Asia-Pacific suffers chronic hunger and nearly two-thirds of the world's chronically hungry people live in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Despite efforts to reduce hunger, and even with the rapid economic growth seen in much of Asia, progress in eradicating hunger has been very slow," he said.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson called on governments, farmers, scientists, business, civil society and consumers to join hands to eradicate hunger in the region.

"We cannot rest while so many people go hungry in a world where there is enough food for all," he said.

The "Zero Hunger Challenge" campaign was proposed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012, focusing on 100 percent access to food for all and all year round. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)