Arab News Japan

Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs MATSUMOTO Hisashi on Tuesday met with 16 UN trainees learning about food security in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon.

Under the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the training program titled “Emergency Assistance for Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon: Fighting Food Insecurity Through Entrepreneurship” is implemented with support from the Japanese Government.  

Matsumoto told the trainees that the world is currently facing “complex crises such as climate change and conflict.”

He added that Japan and the international community were responding to these crises under the principle of human security.

Initiatives to reduce food insecurity and bring employment to local economies are important, the minister said, expressing his hope that this training course would be meaningful, according to a statement by the Foreign Minister.

Matsumoto also expressed his expectations for the participants to create innovation in their respective countries based on the achievements gained through this training.

He said that he was confident that they would contribute to the reduction of food insecurity and the development of the local economy including through the creation of new businesses and the expansion of existing ones.

Head of UNITAR’s Hiroshima office Chisa Mikami expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and three representatives of the trainees introduced the outcomes of the training program.

The UN program is aimed at capacity-building support for youth and others in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon to equip them with the knowledge and skills to improve food security and build sustainable food systems.

This training is being implemented by the UNITAR Hiroshima Office with financial support from the Japanese government