Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland (2022)

Rome - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today met Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland, on the sidelines of the World Food Forum (WFF).

The Director-General expressed his appreciation to the Minister for Ireland’s ongoing support to the mandate of FAO, and for having accepted to speak at the official opening of the World Food Forum, which comprises three tracks: global youth in agrifood systems; hand-in-hand investment; and science and innovation.

The Director-General recalled his visit to Ireland in May/June this year, where he provided a keynote speech to the World Potato Congress, noting that the potato takes a central place in the Irish diet and culture.

During that visit, the Director-General met with Minister McConalogue, as well as the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney. 

The Director-General expressed again his support for Ireland’s leading role in ensuring food security at global level. In that regard, he noted that agrifood systems transformation, rural development and global food security now feature prominently on the international agenda.

The bilateral meeting was also attended by Tom Arnold, Ireland’s special envoy on food systems. The Minister and special envoy both mentioned that Ireland is taking a leading role in agrifood systems transformation through their renewed agrifood strategy and Food Vision 2030, following a national food systems approach, and are actively working to translate the strategy in concrete actions on the ground.

The Director-General mentioned the link with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 that seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

The Director-General further underlined the need for more investments in agrifood systems, and for making rural areas more attractive for youth. As part of the WFF, Ireland is organizing a Youth Education Side Event called "A journey through the food system”. The side event will showcase how young people in Ireland are engaging and spearheading the transition to sustainable agrifood systems.