has declared May 30 as International Potato Day, after adopting by consensus draft resolution A/78L/L.16 presented by Peru.
The purpose of International Potato Day is to "raise awareness of critically important issues related to sustainable production and the stability of value chains, including the availability of water and fertilizers."
Following the UN's decision, the annual celebrations may include various initiatives, such as the production of promotional materials, technical publications, documentaries, festivals, exhibitions, webinars, as well as other international, regional, and national activities.
Likewise, this declaration will foster the promotion of regional and global networks linked to potatoes, among other initiatives.
Proposal promoted by Peru
Since June 2022, "through its diplomatic missions abroad, Peru began actions, presenting, within the framework of the 11th World Potato Congress (Dublin-Ireland), the proposal for the establishment of an International Potato Day," the Peruvian government agency added.
The Peruvian proposal had as main cosponsors: Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, and Guatemala.
The list also included: Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, and Venezuela, which were joined by other Member States, resulting in a total of 68 co-sponsors.
Global importance of potatoes
"Potatoes play an essential role for global food security and nutrition, as well as for income generation," said the
Foreign Affairs Ministry, underscoring the need for small-scale farmers and actors in value chains to
"rely on sustainable practices so as to ensure environmental protection and social equity."