The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has proposed to set up a US $98 million fund to help the world's least developed countries (LDCs) improve the safety and quality of their food products. The fund would be set up with voluntary contributions from bilateral and multilateral donors, officials of the FAO said.
The marshes of Mesopotamia have been extensively degraded, according to UN experts. Scientists of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) say that evaluation of satellite photographs taken in 1973 and 2000 show that 90 per cent of the marshlands had now been drained. The marshlands lie where the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers meet in southern Iraq, partially extending into Iran. "The loss of the marshes over the years is a major ecological disaster," said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP's executive director.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.