Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with H.E. Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Cameroon

Rome - Director-General QU Dongyu and H.E. Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Cameroon held a meeting today, 15 February.

The Minister expressed appreciation for FAO’s support to Cameroon and for the Director-General’s leadership of the Organization.  He also informed the Director-General that Cameroon is grappling with Fall Armyworm (FAW), which has affected the production of maize, sorghum and other crops.  In this respect, the Minister requested FAO’s technical support to combat FAW.

For his part, the Director-General expressed appreciation for Cameroon’s steadfast, ongoing support to the mandate and work of FAO, and reiterated the Organization’s commitment to support Cameroon through technical assistance and resource mobilization support.

The Director-General and the Minister also exchanged views on how to further intensify Rome-based agency collaboration at field level.

The Director-General highlighted the significant increase in voluntary contributions received by FAO during 2022 from key donors, international financial institutions, vertical funds (GCF, GEF) and other sources in support of developing countries, citing this as an example of all Members working together towards the common goal of food security for all. 

Accordingly, the Director-General stressed that continuing to work together as One FAO will remain key to transforming agrifood systems, and contribute to lasting change.