Read-out of the meeting between the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, and the Minister for Agriculture and Food of Portugal, Maria do Céu Antunes

Lisbon--In the last day of his official visit to Portugal, the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, had a meeting today with the Minister for Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Portugal, Maria do Céu Antunes.

The Director-General congratulated the government of Portugal on the success of the United Nations Ocean Conference, which is a unique opportunity to build momentum for the realization agenda 2030 in partcilar SDG2 and SDG14.

The Director-General expressed his appreciation for the key role of Portugal as an key partner for FAO’ objectives and priorities. Dr Qu expressed FAO’s readiness to support the ongoing transformation of the agrifood systems in Portugal, including the fisheries and aquaculture sector, which has high potential.

Minister Antunes appreciated the long-standing partnership between FAO and Portugal and  the key role of FAO in the United Nations Ocean Conference. The Minister commended the efforts taken by the organization to transform agrifood systems around the world for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Director-General and Minister Antunes agreed to explore ways of further strengthening the cooperation in the areas of irrigation, and sustainable agriculture production in support of food security objectives in developing countries through the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative.