The 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the International Rice Research Institute.

Hanoi - Vietnam will host the 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) in Hanoi in 2010. The world's largest gathering of rice scientists, researchers, and technologies, the event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The decision was announced in a joint statement by H.E. Minister Cao Due Phat of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)and IRRI Director General Dr. Robert S. Zeigler in Hanoi today. The IRC2010 is the world's largest rice gathering focusing on a food that feeds almost half the world.

Dr. Zeigler said he was very pleased that the IRC2010 would be held in Hanoi, especially because of Vietnam's success with rice production over the past two decades. "Vietnam's rice industry is outstanding and MARD's commitment to research and the best science is an example for others to follow," he said.

Dr. Zeigler explained that IRC 2010 will incorporate the 28th International Rice Research Conference, 3rd World Rice Commerce Conference, 3rd International Rice Technology and Cultural Expo, and the 50th anniversary celebration of IRRI.

He claimed that with its theme, "The Future of Rice," the international congress will increase public and private support to help poor rice farmers and consumers.

IRRI and AsiaCongress Events Company Limited (AsiaCongress) are the organizers of the international event.

Thousands of delegates attended the first and second international rice congresses in Beijing in 2002 and Delhi in 2006.

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The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines, with offices in 13 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers
funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies (www.cgiar.org).

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For information, contact Adam Barclay, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines;
tel +63-2-580-5600; fax: +63-2-580-5699; email a.barclay@cgiar.org.

Web sites: IRRI Home (www.irri.org), IRRI Library (http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org), Rice Knowledge Bank (www.knowledgebank.irri.org)