Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with Mario Draghi, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy to exchange views on global food security

Rome – In a meeting today, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and Prime Minister Draghi both expressed appreciation for the ongoing close collaboration between FAO and its host country, including during the Italian Presidency of the G20 in 2021, which saw the launch of a number of initiatives of global importance such as the Matera Declaration and Mediterranean Dialogues. The two agreed that 2021 was a very productive year in terms of global solidarity and food security.

In particular, the FAO Director-General thanked the Italian government and people for the support provided during the COVID-19 vaccination drive for UN employees and dependants in Italy, and stated that it was an act of generosity and solidarity that saved lives.

During the meeting, the FAO Director-General and Prime Minister Draghi agreed to continue to deepen and expand the close cooperation between FAO and the Government of Italy on food security to help countries most in need.