Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade Tenth Meeting “Triple-COP” 2021
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
26/07/2021
Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention
on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure
for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
Tenth Meeting “Triple-COP” 2021
Video Message by
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
26 July 2021
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. The number of hungry people has been increasing since 2014, and over the last year we have seen a global pandemic aggravate this situation.
2. Our agri-food systems are both affected by, and contributing to, the degradation of our natural resources.
3. Around the world, the use of agrochemicals is on the rise,
4. including unsafe pesticides that pose a serious threat to our health and the environment.
5. To achieve a better future for everyone,
6. it is fundamental that the management of chemicals, pesticides and waste aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals,
7. and works in harmony with our planet.
8. The sound and sustainable management of chemicals and waste is a major cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda.
9. The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
10. Through the Rotterdam Convention, together with UNEP, FAO focuses on reducing the risks of hazardous pesticides,
11. while ensuring sufficient, healthy and affordable food for all.
12. FAO’s recently approved Programme of Work and Budget 2022-23 ensures continued significant financial resources for the work of the Rotterdam Convention.
13. FAO has always been, and will remain, firmly committed to the objectives of the chemicals and waste conventions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
14. With many of the goals in the 2030 Agenda off-track, the need to engage all actors at all levels becomes even more pressing.
15. FAO’s new Strategic Framework, recently endorsed by our Ministerial Conference, will guide our work over the next decade,
16. to increasingly support the 2030 Agenda,
17. through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems,
18. for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life - leaving no one behind!
19. Today, I call upon all of us to renew and strengthen our commitment to keep addressing chemicals, pesticides and waste high on the international agenda,
20. to protect human health and the environment,
21. while transforming our agri-food systems, to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
22. Let us make the post-COVID planet a better and healthier one, for everyone.
23. I wish you a productive meeting and successful outcomes.
Thank you.