Consultation framework

The regional consultation was organised through the collaboration of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute of the Ministry of

Agriculture and Forestry of the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The consultation met at Lane-Xang Hotel, Fa-Ngum Road, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic from

31 August to 3 September 2004.

Officers

The participants elected meeting officers. They were as follows:

Chairperson

Ms Monthathip Chanphengxay
Deputy Director-General
National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Vice-chairperson

Ms Sheepa Hafiza
Programme Head, Human Rights and Gender
Human Rights and Advocacy Unit
BRAC
Bangladesh

Rapporteur

Ms Lorenza A. Umali
Deputy Director
National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW)
Philippines

Panel sessions’ chair

Ms Leena Kirjavainen
FAO Representative
Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Small session group leaders

Ms Tahira Abdullah
Socio-Economic Development Practitioner
Women’s Rights and Peace Activist
Pakistan

Ms Pawadee Tonguthai
Faculty of Economics
Thammasat University
Thailand

Media coverage

FAO prepared a press release and distributed to the press corps that attended the opening session. Local language newspapers covered the opening event. The national television also covered the opening session events.