2021 UN Day for South-South Cooperation “Agri-food Systems Transformation and Voices from the Global South”
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
17/09/2021
2021 UN Day for South-South Cooperation
“Agri-food Systems Transformation and Voices from the Global South”
Video Message
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
17 September 2021
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. FAO is honoured to host today’s event on behalf of FAO, WFP and IFAD.
2. First of all, I would like to thank our Members - from the South, the North, our partners and sister agencies for their invaluable support to South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
3. Today we will listen to the Voices from the Global South on agri-food systems transformation.
4. The South is an increasingly dynamic source of ideas, solutions, knowledge and partnerships,
5. Jointly committed to reversing the trend of growing food insecurity and malnutrition.
6. To speed-up on the 2030 Agenda we need strong South-South and Triangular Cooperation, as well as North-South Partnerships.
7. Collective action, multilateralism, solidarity and coherent innovation must be our driving principles.
8. We need to engage with new partners from civil society, the private sector, international financial institutions and farmers, to develop multi-stakeholder partnerships.
9. We need to change business model and promote new collaboration modalities to help Members and farmers on the ground.
Dear Colleagues,
10. FAO together with other sister agencies will continue to play a key role by facilitating innovative partnerships and coalitions, and by catalyzing investments.
11. South-South and Triangular Cooperation was vital to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on agri-food systems.
12. Including for the most vulnerable, such as the Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.
13. It is essential for generating greater returns for developing countries, helping to strengthen regional value chains and trade, and opening new market opportunities and investments.
14. FAO will support Members to transform to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
15. We must act innovatively, efficiently and effectively.
16. Together, we can offer solutions based on the priorities and pathways for the transformation of agri-food systems in the South, for the South and beyond the South.
17. I wish you fruitful discussions and a deliverable South-South Cooperation.
18. Thank you.