Readout of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with Odile Renaud-Basso, President, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

28 October 2021, Rome  - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The meeting reiterated the importance of the good cooperation between FAO and the EBRD. FAO and the EBRD, through the FAO Investment Centre, have enjoyed a successful partnership since 1994.

The Director-General and the President exchanged views on joint evolving priorities and challenges highlighting common areas of future engagement between the two organizations. Key strategic priorities underlined included supporting agribusiness, greening the agri-food sector through digitalization and innovation, public-private policy dialogue for the development of the agri-foods system as well as the need to build resilient agri-food systems able to address the many challenges faced by the agriculture sectors, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

The President commended the Director-General for his vision and achievements. She noted that FAO is a valued partner for EBRD. The two also exchanged ideas on the importance of a holistic approach in addressing agri-food system transformation. They agreed that digitalization is and will continue to play a key role in rural areas and in providing broader market access to small farmers. Important consideration was also given to the green economy where they exchanged ideas on the FAO Green Cities Action Programme and EBRD new Green Economy Transition approach through the Green Cities programme.

The FAO Director-General and the EBRD President agreed on the need for continued strong partnership through the many ongoing programmes, and the new opportunities to support their respective Membership.