U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William A. Heidt and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Yim Chhay Ly will preside over an event to mark the five years of “Feed the Future” programs in Cambodia, which will take place on Thursday, June 2, at 8:30 a.m., at the Intercontinental Hotel in Phnom Penh.

The event will launch a two-day conference to review the impressive achievements in agriculture, nutrition, and poverty reduction that have taken place over the past five years through the U.S. Feed the Future initiative (FtF), implemented by USAID in cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia. The conference will bring together farmers, policy makers, donors, government officials, private companies, and members of civil society.

The U.S. government launched FtF in Cambodia in 2010 in four provinces around the Tonle Sap Lake (Pursat, Battambang, Kampong Thom, and Siem Reap), with the goal of reducing hunger and poverty while also addressing gender equity, environment, and climate change. FtF aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s plans to make the country’s agriculture sector more productive and to improve food security. Over the last five years, USAID’s FtF programs have provided over US$ 55 million to help Cambodian farmers increase their yields and incomes while enabling them to provide healthy foods for their families and reduce malnutrition.

Ambassador William Heidt and H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Yim Chhay Ly will tour exhibitor booths following their opening remarks, after which they will make brief statements and take questions from the media. Members of the media are invited to cover the opening session and are requested to arrive at the Intercontinental Hotel by 8:00 a.m.