International Year of the Potato relationship that exists between poverty, food security, malnutrition and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger." This was one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was shared with the International Year of Sanitation. It was hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice (2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources. The year 2008 was also designated the National Year of the Potato in
Agriculture and Rural Development Day Agriculture and Rural Development Day Between 2009 and 2012, Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) was an annual event co-organized by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The first event took place as a side event at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The second event took place as a side event at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Cancún, Mexico.