 The Director-Channel, Excellencies, Honorable Ministers of Able Cultures for Member Countries, Distinguished Delgates from Countries and Ladies of Nices, Ladies and Gentlemen, Talofa and Worm Greetings from Tuval. It is indeed an honor and great privilege for me to join all of you, Excellencies, and Distinguished Delgates to this 35th session of FAE Original Conference for Asia and the Pacific. I extend my deepest appreciation to the APRC's Secretary for Organizing this Federal Conference to allow members and organizers and to deliberate, cooperate and collaborate on issues of common interest, food security, and agriculture. I must acknowledge that the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has created an unprecedented level of uncertainty in its challenge every aspect of our lives. As leaders and Christians, let us all remember in our thoughts and prayers those who have perished properly due to the spread of COVID-19. Tuval's food and agriculture sector is already under threat by multitude of factors such as insecurity, climate change, infectious diseases, natural resources, de-critizations, natural diseases. The outbreak of COVID-19 failed compounding this with its impact generally spread across different countries. Excellencies, apricot is an important sector for Tuvalu as it is the main source for the livelihood of communities. Tuvalu's apricot sectors relies on innovative best practices to ensure sustainability of local food production, to minimize the impact of climate change on food crops and livestock. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the declaration of health state of emergency by the government on the 20th of March 2020 directly led to the establishment of the COVID-19 task force and the development of a comprehensive response and preparedness plan for the country. Unsurprisingly, end of great concern was the issue of food security. Governments recognized that providing sustained adequate food supply change for the people of Tuvalu will be challenging if trading holds due to the risk of spreading COVID-19. On that note, I am delighted to share the issues and strategies that has been activated by the government of Tuvalu to minimize disruptions to food security and agricultural services. Fatang of Yefea on Fungafala stepped up its effort to supply fresh vegetables to the public on Fungafudi and distributing seedlings to the public for on-patterns. Fast-tracking the planting of root crops at the new apricot forestry site in Fungafala to enhance food security and better integrated traditional farming practices to sustain local food production. And carried farmers on the outlands to plant more root crops and promote traditional ways of preserving methods to prolong lifespan of food items. Control selling of basic food items in socks by instigating a food voucher system to limit the number of basic food items a household can purchase within a two-week period. A strict monitoring of stock on other food items like canned food, frozen food, cleaning soap and detergent, insorpt and developing a threshold system to trigger the pressuring measures and working closely with importers in ordering adequate supplies of food items to avoid food run-out. Excellencies with that I call upon all members countries in the national and regional partners in the Misingen to come together and discuss practical and effective measures to compact the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural services. To wallow is fully committed to continue working in partnership with FAO and SPC to addressing national and regional needs to reduce food and agricultural insecurity. Governments and the people of Tuvalu underscore and appreciate the unprecedented supports to receive from FAO and SPC and welcome future supporting ensure that food security and agricultural issues in Tuvalu are appreciated and adequately addressed. Excellencies, I wish you all a very successful conference and fruitful celebrations. It is my hope and prayer that the decision taken over the course of this meeting will lead to a real and lasting positive changes. Fafida y lasi, Tuvalu no de Tuvalu.