 My name is Duncan McIntosh, I'm the Development Director for the International Race Institute. We're particularly honoured this morning to have, honored by their presence this morning, His Excellency Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Welcome to all of these distinguished guests, participants to the long-race conference of the International Race Research Institute, and the Director General of the International Race Research Institute, Dr. Robert Ziegler. As well as many other distinguished guests, including ministers, ambassadors and representatives from more than 60 countries and international organisations. Welcome to all of these distinguished guests, participants to the long-race conferences and exhibitions of the next few days. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It is now my very great honour and pleasure to invite the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Socialists of the Republic of Vietnam, and the Honourable Chairman of the steering committee of the International Race Congress 2010, to give the welcome address before the conference. Please join me in welcoming him to the podium. Honourable ambassadors and national representatives, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honour today to welcome delegates from more than 40 countries in the third International Race Congress in Hanoi. This event has become a tradition. Scientists, researchers, producers and private sector representatives of the rice industry from old age months identify the bone strength and look for solutions to further increase rice production to regional and global, and the reduction of poverty to of the biggest challenges in Vietnam. Throughout the 4,000-year history of the Vietnamese people, agriculture has virtually meant rice production. It is not merely an economic activity affecting the lives of over 70% of our population. It is also our tradition and culture, a vital role in our role in food security policies. An important role for rice for many decades has always blessed the highest priority on rice production. Vietnam has changed from a country suffering food shortages, years after years to by the 1980s, the second-largest rice exporter in the world. In improving rice production in Vietnam, it has been shared with many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These contributions have been recognized by international organizations like the FAO. Despite this important achievement in rice production, Vietnam is still facing the challenge of food security in the context of a fast-growing population and declining area for agricultural production and climate change. Vietnam now boasts an additional trend. Under this condition, maintaining and enhancing rice production requires scientific and technological breakthroughs. We need new varieties with high growing food quality and short maturity duration, as well as advanced production processes that are in good efficient and cost-effective. Ladies and gentlemen, while we are here, the International Rice Congress 925 million people are still suffering from hunger and poverty worldwide. Many of them are from countries where rice is a staple food. This Congress will be an excellent forum for the scientists, policymakers and business people to share their experiences and discuss relevant issues regarding rice production and to look for the best solutions to achieve food security and poverty alleviation. The outcome of the Congress will be a practical and important contribution to the United Against Hunger movement, which was initiated by FAO on World Food Day this year. By 2050, it is our responsibility to increase global food production by 70 percent and to double the food production in developing countries. This is an extension for to feed the world's fast-growing population. It is for that reason this Congress has adopted the theme of rice for future generations. It is our hope that with the greatest advances in agricultural science and technology and with the great efforts of the world community, especially the developing countries, we will be able to achieve our goals. On this occasion of this Congress and on behalf of the Vietnam, Ms. Farmers, we would like to congratulate the International Rice Disher in SISU on its 50th anniversary. The abbreviation IRI has become very familiar to the Vietnamese. Though many of them are not fully aware of what it stands for, the word IRI has been localized as a generic name for rice for rice is introduced by the International Rice Research Institute. In order to recognize IRI's contribution to the rice production in Vietnam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has awarded the friendship order to the Institute. Once again, we would like to congratulate IRI and to wish that IRI continues to grow, making more contributions to global food security and stated as the anti-mig zone pursued by IRI never an empty bowl. On behalf of the organizers, I would like to wish on of you good health. I wish our Congress great success, enjoy your stay in Vietnam. Thank you very much for your kind attention.