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Russian $6 million contribution to UN food authority goes to vulnerable ex-Soviet states

The money would be channeled towards strengthening food security and stable development of the agricultural sector in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russia’s voluntary contribution of $6 million will be used by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to provide technical assistance to governments of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, said a report from the organization’s headquarters in Rome.

It said the money would be channeled towards strengthening food security and stable development of the agricultural sector in these states.

The report noted that despite visible economic growth and growing well-being of the population, these countries remained vulnerable to global economic turmoil, volatility of global prices of food and raw materials, as well as weather calamities affecting national economies.

"Technical assistance of FAO financed through Russia’s contribution will be aimed at supporting priority projects in these three countries," said FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Vladimir Rakhmanin.

Kostas Stamoulis, director of FAO's Agricultural Development Economic Division, welcomed Russia’s contribution, saying consolidated effort of national governments was needed to fight hunger and malnutrition.

He said Russia’s financial support would help strengthen the potential of FAO member countries towards developing policy, investment planning and creation of programs for food security and nutrition.