 It became imperative for every region to identify its priorities and areas of importance that it needs to tackle that are particular to its region. As we know, the challenges are cross boundary. They're not only country challenges, but they really cross the boundaries. It's extremely important for the high level decision makers from the countries in the region to come together and discuss and debate the challenges that face them together and come up with the priorities that they wish FAO to work with them on. The meeting gives an opportunity to discuss specific challenges. Some are well known, others may be emerging in the food and agriculture sector. And it also, equally importantly, gives an opportunity to share information and initiatives ongoing in the region to address these often common challenges to food and agriculture development. The report of the conference and the decisions made at the regional level will then be reported to the FAO council and to the main FAO conference along with all the other regional conferences held in the other regions. And this will form the basis for our work in the region.