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
Azerbaijan and the United Nations of 155 Member States clearly indicated international recognition of the country’s growing role in world affairs and its contribution to global peace and security.Through the UN, Azerbaijan has reached out to the international community, especially Europe. Azerbaijan strengthened its relations with UN by cooperating with UN agencies and bodies such as International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Food Programme, and the financial institutions of UN. Azerbaijan used the platform of the United Nations to draw attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to provide the international community with comprehensive information in order to shape an objective public opinion, to use