Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Rome - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today met Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Director-General welcomed the President, who expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership with FAO. The meeting reiterated the importance of the good cooperation between FAO and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. 

The President commended the Director-General for his vision in creating the World Food Forum (17-21 October 2022), noting its importance and multifaceted programme addressing Science and Innovation, as well as the Hand-in- Hand Investment Forum. He also applauded the Director-General for his vision in the creation of the Office of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).  He went further to highlight that SIDS have specific challenges and needs, which they need to overcome in order to address the climate crisis and biodiversity issues that are unique to them.

The President requested additional support from the Director-General in the fisheries sector and the launching of key projects. The two agreed that innovative marketing solutions are key components to transform agrifood systems and address the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by SIDS.

The Director-General added that the needs for improved promotion of agriculture products and appropriate platforms to expand their reach is essential. He added that in order to facilitate this notion there is also a necessity to simplified transportation of goods and thus infrastructure and accessibility.

The Director-General also shared with the President the Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country One Priority Product (OCOP). He explained how this action aims to develop green and sustainable value chains for special agricultural products, support small and family farmers gain the full benefits of a global market and ultimately support the agrifood system transformation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The President and the Director-General reiterated their mutual commitment to a continued strong partnership.