The government has pledged to annually contribute 2,000 tonnes of rice and US$467,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme over the next five years, according to a joint statement released yesterday. Under a memorandum of understanding signed by Minister for Economy and Finance Keat Chhon and WFP country representative Jean-Pierre de Margerie at a ceremony yesterday, the government will donate a total of 10,000 tonnes of rice and US$2.33 million to WFP between 2011 and 2015. “It signals the strong partnership between the Royal Government and WFP,” Jean-Pierre de Margerie said at the ceremony.