Read-out of the bilateral meeting between FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, and Mr Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Rome/New York - The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met virtually with Mr Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The Director-General and Mr Griffiths discussed the implications of the conflict in Ukraine on global food security. The Director-General of FAO reiterated that the situation in Russia and Ukraine adds to the significant challenges facing global food security, where the two countries play a substantial role in global food production and supply. The likely disruptions to agricultural activities of these two major exporters of staple commodities could seriously escalate food insecurity globally, increasing food insecurity locally.

Mr Griffiths emphasized that in addition to the humanitarian impacts of the crisis, it represents a serious challenge for food security for many countries, especially for low-income food import countries.

The Director-General of FAO and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator agreed to continue their dialogue and coordination in the coming days.