Chinese President XI thanks FAO, IFAD and WFP for “staunch support” in dealing with COVID-19 outbreak

2 March 2020, Rome – XI Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China has expressed his gratitude to FAO, IFAD and WFP for what he has described as the “staunch support” provided to his country by the three Rome-based UN agencies in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a letter addressed to FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo and WFP Executive Director David Beasley, President Xi, noted that such support during “this critical moment of fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)… fully attests to your deep friendship with the Chinese people.”

China stands ready to continue strengthening cooperation with FAO, IFAD, WFP and the broader international community in an open and transparent manner,” Xi added.

The Chinese President’s message follows FAO’s offer to make its expertise available to support China battle the novel coronavirus outbreak, as FAO has offered to other member countries. These responses include  provision of emergency equipment and regional training courses for veterinary and medical experts from Africa and Asia, organizing a technical consultation workshop on the animal-human interface of COVID-19 and a also help create awareness of issues related to the outbreak.

In addition, FAO is planning a study on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on market chains and rural livelihoods in China. The assessment has two components: a market study and a household survey with focus on Hubei and possibly a few neighbouring provinces. It relies on remote data collection (phone interviews).

FAO’s support to China is rooted in its expertise in the management of zoonotic (animal-to-human) diseases, developed over years of close co-operation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). A Tripartite Agreement provides a framework for joint leadership in addressing global health challenges.