174th Session of the Council Side Event: Launch of the International Year of Camelids 2024 Opening Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
04/12/2023
174th Session of the Council
Side Event: Launch of the International Year of Camelids 2024
Opening Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
4 December 2023
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,
Dear friends of animals and friends of Camelids,
Welcome to the launch of the International Year of Camelids 2024.
Camelids - present in more than 90 countries – live in some of the most challenging environments on the planet: from dry heat, to harsh cold.
From the deserts of Africa and Asia to South America’s Andean highlands, from Ecuador to the Tierra del Fuego, camelids play a key role in the lives and cultures of millions of people, especially local communities, pastoralists and Indigenous Peoples.
Even in the most extreme climatic conditions, they produce milk, meat, fibre and organic fertilizer, and provide transport, boosting food security, nutrition, and livelihoods, while helping to conserve fragile ecosystems.
Camelids also build resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis – particularly in mountains and drylands and can contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems.
For all these reasons, we are pleased to commend these extraordinary animals with this dedicated International Year.
FAO, as the UN lead agency for the International Year, thanks the Government of Bolivia for proposing this International Year, and for co-chairing its Steering Committee together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The International Year of Camelids is a great opportunity to highlight and value the economic, social and cultural importance of camelids around the globe - especially highly vulnerable communities.
Dear Colleagues,
FAO supports the development of the camelid sector as part of the Sustainable Livestock Transformation Initiative for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Let us work together during 2024, and beyond, to ensure a successful International Year of Camelids with fruitful long-term outcomes.
Thank you.