Read-out of the bilateral meeting between FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, and the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina, Juan Cabandié

20 July 2021, Rome - FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, and the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina, Juan Cabandié, had a meeting today in which they talked about how the transformation of agri-food systems can contribute to balance food production with the preservation of natural resources.

Minister Cabandié thanked the Director-General for FAO’s support in the implementation of projects aimed at promoting sustainable development in Argentina, particularly through the financial resources provided by the Green Climate Fund. He stressed that Argentina intends to strengthen its collaboration with FAO and achieve a better balance between the production of food and the preservation of natural resources, reducing climate impacts.

The Minister also noted that more than 50% of the Argentinian population are currently living under the poverty line, as most of the country’s wealthy is concentrated in the hands of few people. He highlighted that the government has been struggling to find resources to make productive investments, considering the high value of Argentina’s debt with international funding mechanisms.

The Director-General recognized Argentina’s challenge to improve the living conditions of a large part of its population facing poverty and hunger, as well as to make agri-food systems more sustainable, resilient and inclusive, leaving no one behind.

He noted that the country should seek to promote high efficiency in the production of food in order to substantially increase production with less resources and less environmental impacts. For this, the Director-General highlighted the importance of investing in enabling policies, education systems, broadband internet, innovation and technology. He stressed that FAO is ready to continue to support Argentina to transform agri-food systems and achieve the four betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life.

He also stressed the benefits of aquaculture, which can provide small farmers with more stable incomes and increase food availability.