FAO with a view: Director-General toasts and hosts diplomats working with the Organization

Rome - Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) toasted a new era at a reception Monday evening hosted by Director-General QU Dongyu.

Qu welcomed the guests, emphasized that “FAO is your FAO” and expressed his gratitude at having a chance to serve all Members.

“Today FAO is different,” said the Director-General, who took the helm 40 months ago, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world.

The Organization “has changed physically, mentally and psychologically,” he added.

Those changes include a quantum leap in increased transparency, one of Qu’s guiding principles, as well as structural enhancements such as the new eighth-floor cafeteria where the reception was held, and the adjacent colorful, plant-filled terrace that has a commanding view of FAO’s host city.

“If you didn’t come to the FAO terrace, you didn’t come to Rome,” the Director-General jested.
Qu also emphasized his focus on efficiency and effectiveness as the best way to cope with limited resources compared to FAO’s mandates.

“I really appreciate your commitment,” he told the diplomats present, noting that FAO has received $1.6 billion in voluntary commitments this year, 50 percent more than usual, and that for the first time in decades no major Member is in arrears on its assessed contributions to the Organization.