Director-General meets Finland Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

2 December 2019, Rome - FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met today with Jaana Husu-Kallio, Finland Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome.

The parties met on the sidelines of the 163rd Session of the FAO Council and the side event for the launch of the International Year of Plant Health 2020.

Finland is one of the main supporters of the International Year of Plant Health. The Director-General congratulated the Government of Finland for taking the lead in proposing this initiative in the International Plant Protection Convention and FAO governing bodies, and in coordinating negotiations at the UN General Assembly.

Permanent Secretary Jaana Husu-Kallio commended the arrangements made by the Director-General to extend maternity leave entitlement and his actions to improve staff morale, describing them as very important and positive signals.

The Director-General praised Finland for its innovation approach and stated that he looked forward to further strengthening the collaboration with the country in the coming years.