UNDERSECRETARY JUAN MANUEL GOMEZ ROBLEDO TRAVELS TO ROME

· He met with senior officials of international organizations based in Rome, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

· He also met with officials of the Holy See as part of the ongoing dialogue on multilateral issues and human rights.

In order to strengthen Mexico’s relationship with the specialized UN agencies based in Rome, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Ambassador Juan Manuel Gomez Robledo, met with the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Ertharin Cousin, and FAO Deputy Director Daniel Gustafson.

Both the World Food Programme and the FAO are strategic partners that are indispensible for achieving more effective and consistent cooperation that allows Mexico to establish itself as a globally-responsible country.

During his meetings, Undersecretary Gómez Robledo reiterated Mexico's commitment to increasing its ties and working together with the WFP and the FAO to take steps to combat poverty and inequality in Mexico and in the world.

The National Crusade against Hunger, launched by President Peña Nieto to help the 7.4 million Mexicans suffering from both extreme poverty and a severe lack of food, will benefit from the strategic relationship that exists with both agencies.

The Undersecretary also stressed the importance of the upcoming visit to Mexico by FAO Director General Graziano da Silva on April 30th. His visit will be a good opportunity to share information on the new administration’s goals for the nation and to encourage joint action to strengthen social cohesion, equality and food security in Mexico.

While in Rome, Undersecretary Gomez Robledo also met with senior officials from the Holy See: Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States; Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People; and Bishop Mario Toso S.D.B., Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

At these meetings, the officials discussed international issues, including the agendas of the multilateral forums, where there are significant areas of agreement between both States. They discussed, among other topics, the recent passage of the Arms Trade Treaty, the post-2015 development agenda, migration and migrants' rights and promoting a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty.