171st Session of the Council Closing Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
09/12/2022
171st Session of the Council
Closing Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
9 December 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. This week, we have been pleased to see the Council’s appreciation and endorsement of the initiatives put into action over the past three years.
2. This is an important sign that we are truly companions on this shared journey towards the transformation of our agrifood systems, to ensure the Four Betters, in support of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
3. Thank you all for your extraordinary collaboration, and efficient, effective and coherent partnership.
4. Going forward, we can do more and better together, for a better food future for all.
5. I wish to congratulate the Independent Chairperson of the Council, Hans Hoogeveen, for his efficient management of this session, together with the support of the Secretariat and the Council Committees – the Programme Committee, Finance Committee, and Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters.
6. We share a common vision of a consensus based Organization, working together to achieve our collective objectives.
Dear Members of the Council,
7. This week, you have reaffirmed your commitment to our key initiatives, including the Hand-in Hand,
8. As well as for the action plans for effective implementation of our thematic and cross-cutting strategies on Science and Innovation, and on Climate Change.
9. You have also continued the dialogue on increased engagement with the private sector, and all key stakeholders and partners, based on our collective belief that FAO cannot do it alone.
10. The ongoing, complex and overlapping challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, the war in Ukraine, economic downturns and the increasing impacts of the climate crisis continue to affect global food security, especially in the poorest countries and the most vulnerable populations.
11. Addressing these challenges continues to be a priority for the Organization, in line with our mandate, in accordance with the General Rules of the Organization, guided by our Strategic Framework,
12. And in close collaboration with the Rome-based agencies, and all other agencies across the UN system.
13. FAO will continue to provide technical and professional information and analysis on the evolving situation to support effective global policy and decision-making, and will keep Members updated.
14. The new Digital FAO is a key tool for transparency and effective and real-time information sharing, and for accountability.
15. On behalf of, and together with relevant UN bodies, we will continue to effectively support implementation of national pathways for agrifood systems transformation through the Coordination Hub for follow-up to the Food Systems Summit.
Dear Colleagues,
16. The Council recognized the strategic importance of integrated water resources management for food security and climate resilience, and I welcome your endorsement of this theme for the Conference next year, within the broader holistic context of the Four Betters.
17. FAO will be fully engaged in the UN Water Conference 2023 as an important stepping stone and catalyst towards the achievement of relevant SDGs, especially SDG 6 targets for which FAO is the custodian agency,
18. The Council’s endorsement of the priorities arising from the reports of the FAO Technical Committees will continue to guide the Organization’s technical work related to agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and forestry,
19. As well as commodities in line with our mandate and the FAO Basic Texts.
Dear Colleagues,
20. The guidance and recommendations provided by this session will provide further over-arching guidance to the Organization as we move forward.
21. The current global food security situation calls upon us to act swiftly, concretely and together.
22. Let us continue to make extraordinary efforts to overcome these overlapping challenges for people, planet, and prosperity.
23. Over these past 40 months I hope I have convinced you of my work and that I can count on your support in the years to come for a better world.
24. I thank you.