Director-General honours long-serving FAO employees and calls for continued efficiency and more effectiveness in 2021
28 January 2021, Rome – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today recognized the UN agency’s employees who have reached 25 years of continuous service, during a virtual ceremony in which he emphasized that 2021 is a year of continued efficiency and increased effectiveness for FAO as it leads global agri-food systems transformation.
The annual ceremony to honour long-serving employees has been a feature in the FAO calendar since 1970. This year’s event was the first one to take place virtually, enabling the participation of employees worldwide. Over 1 100 participants joined the ceremony to hear the Director-General felicitate the awardees and share his thoughts on some of the priorities for the Organization’s work in 2021.
In his remarks, the Director-General noted that the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have not spared any country or region of the world; noting that “all our Members will need FAO’s practical support and technical assistance” in 2021.
“Contributing to such noble goals in such decisive times is a source of pride and energy for all of us,” the FAO Director-General said, underscoring that “FAO’s leadership in the global transformation of agri-food systems is crucial in building back better” and encouraging all FAO employees to focus on their efficiency and effectiveness.
“The international recognition of our hard work and the many tangible results should motivate us to continue seeking ways of improving – at all levels and across the entire Organization,” Qu said.
“Let us make sure that 2021 is FAO’s year of continued efficiency and increased effectiveness,” he added.
FAO’s reform and reorganization
The Director-General highlighted that 2020 was a challenging year that “forced us all to adapt to new realities”, adding that FAO was not only capable to adapt, but also to thrive on change, collaborating remotely, streamlining processes and focusing on results.
Qu had declared 2020 as FAO Year of Efficiency, and despite the pandemic, he noted that FAO managed to implement the most significant reform and reorganization since its creation.
“We broke down silos, focused our work on future-oriented topics, removed administrative layers and introduced innovative approaches,” he said, stressing that today FAO is more agile, efficient and inclusive. “Going forward, we will deepen the reform efforts at headquarters and ensure regional harvesting of its results on the ground.”
25 years of commitment to FAO
During the ceremony, the Director-General applauded the eleven employees for their long-standing commitment and contribution to the Organization.
“Eleven colleagues originating from eleven countries – this reflects our diversity!” he noted.
The awardees at today’s ceremony contributed at different levels and in different fields to FAO’s work and mandate, including a driver in Lebanon, a receptionist in Kenya, a fishery statistician in Rome, a communication officer in Bangkok and an administrative officer in the Seychelles.
Qu also welcomed 238 new colleagues, who joined FAO in 2020, stressing that even during the pandemic the Organization has been rapidly evolving and recruiting more specialists with a wide range of expertise.
“As a scientist, I know how important fresh blood is for the body,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging FAO staff to continue learning, sharing and contributing for a more just and happy world, free of hunger and malnutrition.