Iran News Agency

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 40th International FAO Conference in Rome.

Da Silva underlined intention of the FAO to promote and develop cooperation with Iran, especially in the field of forestation, given to achieve results of successful implementation of joint projects in Zagros Forests.

He pointed to FAO cooperation in reviving Orumiyeh Lake plan and asked Iran to help countries of the region in different fields of technical affairs and research, especially in fight against date lice pest.

Hojjati pointed to 600 percent rise in volume and number of credits for joint projects between Iran and FAO in the past four years, and said that Iran had noticeable achievements in agricultural sector and the rate of self-sufficiency has increased for different crops and deficiency of trade balance in this sector decreased from minus 8 billion dollars in year 1392 (2013) to minus 3 billion dollars in year 1395 (2016).

He reminded that currently Iran is implementing 19 joint projects with FAO in different sectors of fishery, oil seeds, forest, technology, veterinary.

The 40th International FAO Conference kicked off on Monday (July 3) by participation of representatives and agricultural ministers of 194 member countries and will last until Saturday July 8, 2017.

Members of FAO Council and the new chief of independent council of the body (ICC) are to be elected in this biennial meeting.