Director-General and Egypt's President deepen ties in support of rural youth and women

15 December 2019, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today met with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, on the margins of the World Youth Forum.

The President expressed appreciation for the Director-General's support to and participation in the Forum. More broadly, the President acknowledged FAO's support for Egypt's and Africa's agriculture and rural development.

For his part, the Director-General thanked the President for his support for FAO's recently launched Hand-in-Hand initiative. He also lauded the President's World Youth Forum initiative and agreed to support next year's Forum.

They shared the same view about the critical role of food systems in transforming agriculture and livelihoods, especially for youth and women - agreeing on enhancing collaboration in this area - and Egypt's leadership role in Africa and the Near East region.

They also discussed and acknowledged the importance of digital farming as a tool for farmer to get access to information, technology and market.

"Investment in the young generation is investment in the future," said the FAO chief.

In closing, the President congratulated the Director-General for transforming FAO through increased transparency and more focus on the critical role of youth and women.