FAO Director-General and General Coordinator of La Via Campesina discuss vital role of farmers

17 October 2019, Rome – FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met today with Elizabeth Mpofu, General Coordinator of La Via Campesina, on the sidelines of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), which is holding its 46th session this week at FAO headquarters.

During the talks, Ms. Mpofu congratulated the Director-General on his recent election and wished him a successful tenure. She appreciated him taking the time to discuss the issues raised by La Via Campesina. She also highlighted the important role of FAO as a neutral forum, noting that participating in multilateral dialogues offers great opportunities for La Via Campesina.

The FAO Director-General highlighted the essential role played by farmers and smallholder farmers in ensuring a food secure world. He appreciated the important representation of youth within the delegation of La Via Campesina and alluded to the Women and Youth Committees that were recently launched in FAO.