Opening Session

The first FAO PH - CSO consultation workshop formally opened with a message from Ms. Kaori Abe, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Officer of the FAO Regional office for Asia and the Pacific, who welcomed some 46 participants representing national, sub-national, and, local organizations (NGOs, farmers organizations, agri-cooperatives, development partners). Ms. Marlene Ramirez, Secretary General of AsiaDHRRA, co-organizer of the event, underscored the importance of convening to discuss most important issues of the countries and brainstorm for resolutions to fill in these gaps, with the hope of being able to work closer together building upon existing platforms and/or creating new mechanism to move forward.