Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakerson, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, was invited by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to attend the meeting on “Global Food and Nutrition Crisis – Large Scale Food Fortification” during 28-30 July 2025 at UN WFP Headquarter, in Rome, Italy.
This event served as a valuable platform for the APTERR Secretariat to engage with WFP and the Gate Foundation to explore potential collaboration on promoting rice fortification to enhance the nutritional value of emergency rice reserves under the APTERR mechanism. Such efforts aim to strengthen food security and improve nutrition for vulnerable population during times of crisis.
The meeting brought together food security and nutrition experts and governmental representatives to participate in in-depth discussions and share insights on the rice fortification initiatives. During the session, Dr. Choomjet introduced the APTERR mechanism and highlighted its achievements in enhancing food security and delivering timely emergency rice assistance across the member countries. He emphasized APTERR’s role not only in addressing food security during emergencies but also in support efforts to combat malnutrition.
Dr. Choomjet further underscored the importance of integrating nutrition into emergency food reserve, noting that this initiative aligns with several regional frameworks aimed at strengthening both food security and nutrition.
In addition, he held discussion with the representatives from WFP and representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan for the projects supported by the Gate Foundations on the possibility of the future cooperation through the rice fortification initiatives. Such collaboration would further be strengthening the APTERR mechanism by ensuring that those affected by disasters, particularly vulnerable groups, receive rice assistance that meets both their caloric and nutritional needs aligned with WFP policy from saving lives to changing lives.
