The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recognised Cuba as an active partner in the Food Security Programme and one of the few countries in the world being very serious in pursuing the fight against poverty at all levels in both urban and rural areas.

The statment was made by FAO Represenative Roberto Arias Milla at a press conference on the occasion of the World Food Day to be celebrated in Cuba from Oct. 1-16.

Milla commended Cuba on its efforts with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to train experts in food security and to contribute to solving food-security problems in a number of countries.

Currently, Brazil and Belize are keen on working with Cuba to develop an "urban agriculture model."

WFP Director Rosa Ines Antolin said Cuba is always willing to cooperate with others in areas related to nutrition matters which are now faced by over 800 million people in the world.

Director of the Cuban International Economics Organisation Roberto Morales said at the press conference that to celebrate the World Food Day this year, Cuba will conduct a host of activities, such as seminars, painting exhibitions, marathons and concerts.