FAO Director-General hosts UN Ombuds Network Meeting 2023

Rome - ¨The UN should be a role model for the world on how to resolve internal tension and create a harmonious and productive workplace¨, said the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, during the UN Ombuds Network Meeting 2023 held at FAO headquarters.

¨Across the UN, we must use the tools of dialogue and mediation - internally with our workforce and externally with our Members and stakeholders¨, Qu underscored.

The Director-General explained that FAO is committed to integrity in the workplace and actively working to ensure that colleagues are more aware of their obligations as international civil servants.

For this reason, he said, the Organization has moved from having a joint Ombuds and Ethics Officer to having two separate offices – each operating independently to prevent conflict of interest.

Qu informed the group that he was proud and pleased to welcome , Katya Melluish as the first FAO Ombuds, and said that he had seen a positive change since her office was opened.

¨As Head of a UN specialized agency, it is of utmost importance to me that every single employee feels that their dignity as a human being is valued and respected¨, he emphasized.

The Director-General noted that the UN ombuds network provides specialized and unique support to the whole UN System to help create a more harmonious workplace, based on individual dignity, which promotes effective collaboration and mutual respect.

¨Sharing experiences from different organizations enriches knowledge and broadens experience¨, he underscored, recognizing the utmost importance of collaborating and creating a stronger ONE UN based on integrity, dignity, ethics, respect and harmony. “We must think together, work together and learn together”, Qu added. 

The UN ombuds and mediators network meets four times a year, once in person, to exchange experiences and good practices across the UN Secretariat and specialized agencies. Last year, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the value of their work.