Director-General’s Town Hall Meeting Address

Director-General’s Town Hall Meeting

Address

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

16 December 2021

 

Dear FAO Colleagues from around the world,

Greetings from Rome!

1.         Welcome to our Town Hall meeting!

 

2.         I hope you and your families and loved ones are healthy and safe.

 

3.         I am pleased to be here with you today, in what I have established as a new tradition of regular global Town Hall meetings,

 

4.         That provide us with an opportunity to share views on the past time, and look together towards the future ahead of us. 

 

5.         COVID-19 has been challenging for all of us, but it has also provided us with many opportunities. 2021 is a year for new FAO with historical memories, a year for visible FAO with highlights of events, a year for impactful FAO with more deliverables.

 

6.         FAO employees in all locations have made a huge effort to stay and deliver - some of you in very difficult and risky environments,

 

7.         And I am very much proud of you for the excellent results we have managed to achieve together.

 

8.         The ONE FAO Global COVID-19 Vaccination Team carried out a broad immunization campaign with successful impacts worldwide.

 

9.         And FAO’s support and coordination were also extended to Italy-based UN agencies.

 

10.       At the same time, vaccines were deployed in more than 100 Decentralized Offices, in line with the UN System-Wide Vaccination Program.

 

Dear Colleagues,

11.       Since May 2020, after a full teleworking period, an extremely cautious return to physical presence in office in headquarters was initiated. It was very necessary to put safety of employees first.

 

12.       The situation is now ready for moving away from the exceptional circumstance into a new normal, and to consider a return to work in the office for some days a week.

 

13.       This is based on the following considerations:

•          One, COVID-19 and its variants will continue in the next months, year or possibly years, with different levels of infection and different capacities to prevent and respond to it.

It would therefore be unrealistic to wait for a post-pandemic scenario to reintroduce some “normality” in FAO working arrangements.

•          Two, the whole world, both in private and public sectors, as well as across the UN, is returning to work in presence, accompanied by hybrid modalities.

Many governments worldwide are expecting FAO, like other partners, to be physically present in the field, in our offices, and in face-to-face meetings.

•          Three, with regard to headquarters, vaccination coverage in Italy and among FAO staff is particularly high, and measures and capacity of the Host Government to manage the COVID-19 situation has proven to be solid.

•          And four, a stronger connection among staff and a reinvigorated dynamic in the workplace will increase those vital exchanges among colleagues that are at the heart of creativity and innovation.

 

14.       For all of these reasons, I have decided to ask employees in Rome to return to work on the premises, on a rotational basis and for some days a week, while maintaining a maximum of 50 to 60% occupation rate on the premises.

 

15.       My announcement of this decision to the Council was well received.

 

16.       Should the situation permit, this new approach will start as of mid-January 2022, for 1 to 3 days a week.

 

17.       Gradually, under the direction of supervisors, employees would be expected to organize themselves and by the end of February 2022, we should all be able to work from the office 3 days a week.

 

18.       This approach is foreseen to be maintained on a pilot basis throughout 2022.

 

19.       And possibly beyond 2022 and after the pandemic, as part of FAO’s new normal way of working, including flexible working arrangements.

 

20.       For the moment, this is being launched at headquarters.

 

21.       For offices in other locations, regions will adopt the most appropriate approach, depending on the local context, host country rules, recommendations by WHO and UN Country Team guidance.

 

22.       In all cases, the health, safety and well-being of our employees and their families will remain our primary concern!

 

23.       This could also include the need to reverse measures in the name of caution if needed.

 

24.       I continue to count on the excellent collaboration of all managers, team leaders and employees, as demonstrated since the beginning of the pandemic.

Dear Colleagues,

 

25.       During the past two years we have also invested in the renovation and structural assessment of existing buildings at all locations.

 

26.       In May 2021, FAO launched the new Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy.

 

27.       The Strategy sets the path for innovation in the business and administration culture in FAO offices and facilities - to reach the target of 45% reduction of GHG emissions, compared with 2018.

 

28.       It is an important milestone for sustainability at FAO!

 

29.       The pandemic has also forced us to accelerate digitalization.

 

30.       Since the start of the lockdown measures, we have invested significantly in the Digital FAO, both at headquarters and in the field.

 

31.       And FAO’s digital workplace transformation continued in 2021.

 

32.       Our digital journey continues with increased efforts to ensure an efficient and effective Corporate Digital Workplace, with a focus on “Digital for Impact” to provide FAO digital public goods globally.

 

33.       I wish to recognize the efforts by all involved in the GRMS upgrade, rollout of the new fao.org platform, the Hand-in-Hand geospatial system, and many other specialized applications and dashboards.

 

34.       Listening to employees and their concerns and challenges has been my focus since day one.

 

35.       In 2021 we continued to strengthen interaction with the Staff Representative Bodies and to increase engagement with FAO employees globally.

 

36.       We analyzed the results of the Employee Survey and organized listening sessions with thousands of colleagues.

 

37.       You told us that the work culture at FAO is based on a strong work motivation and teamwork, aligned towards reaching our common mission.

 

38.       You also said that you were proud of what you do, and the noble mandate you work towards. 

 

39.       There were also some negative perceptions of the work environment, which required action on areas such as professional growth and recognition, new ways of working, ethics and communication.

 

40.       Together with the Employee Survey Task Force, we created an action plan, and I am pleased to say that most actions planned for 2021 have been achieved,

 

41.       And even with a few planned for 2022 completed ahead of schedule!

 

42.       I invite you to keep informed of these results through the E-2-S noticeboard.

 

43.       So far in 2021, we have made much progress in the key area of professional development, by focusing on the career development of internal candidates.

 

44.       A new streamlined Recruitment Policy based on lessons learned and best practices is being finalized to make recruitment more merit-based and transparent, and with shorter time lines.

 

45.       Professional development is much broader than promotion.

 

46.       There are a range of paths for growth and development, not only vertical.

 

47.       I wish to acknowledge those employees who have chosen the possibility of lateral transfers or geographic mobility as a way to develop themselves, learn about the Organization and build up their careers.

 

48.       To prepare employees for opportunities we have invested in learning tools to enhance participation in competitive recruitment processes – please check your YOU@FAO, regularly, as well as the new career development website.

 

49.       The Women and Youth Committees recently launched the FAO Employee Mentoring program.

 

50.       An important and practical initiative that focusses on supporting all employees to develop their careers at FAO.

 

51.       Please sign up – either as a mentor or a mentee – so that we can all learn from each other.

 

52.       Currently, we are also hearing from women leaders at FAO through the 21 Women Leaders for 2021 initiative, based on a series of interviews that provide tips and motivation for aspiring women leaders within the Organization.

 

53.       To attract and build up our young talent we have relaunched our Young Professionals Programme.

 

54.       Recently, we held a very successful Career Fair to encourage young people, in particular from under-represented developing countries, to come and work for FAO.

 

55.       Managers play a key role in supporting their staff.

 

56.       For this reason, we have also focused on supporting managers to manage, in a hybrid work environment, by providing new tools, e-learning, and resources that help them build their teams, manage performance, and pay attention to staff well-being.

 

57.       As part of FAO’s ongoing efforts to improve the conditions of service, we have implemented enhanced medical insurance for “Non staff Human Resources”, which includes maternity coverage and break-in-service coverage.

 

58.       In 2021, I reinstated the language allowance for General Service staff,

 

59.       And updated the paternity leave policy, providing for longer periods of support.

 

60.       FAO has also just finished leading and coordinating the UN Cost of Living Survey in Italy, to ensure staff continue to be appropriately compensated.

 

61.       Preventing and combatting all forms of Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Abuse of Authority and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse remains a priority.

 

62.       I have established a new internal Committee on Workplace Conduct and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which ensures cross-organization collaboration and synergies and avoids overlaps.

 

63.       The new Code of Ethical Conduct, the new Investigation Guidelines and FAO’s Roadmap to guide employees on how and where to go when in need,

 

64.       All contribute to changing FAO’s work culture to be people-centered, transparent, accountable, dynamic, engaged and ethical.

 

65.       To ensure Organization-wide compliance, we are conducting continuous awareness-raising campaigns and building capacity of focal points in the field.

 

 Dear Colleagues,

 

66.       Following the implementation of the structural reforms at Headquarters, Regional and Subregional Offices have initiated their transformation.

 

67.       We want to enhance Regional Offices’ capacities to better contribute to the delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, and to provide impactful support at country level. 

 

68.       These improvements aim at building a One FAO, fostering collaboration and breaking down silos between headquarters, regional and subregional teams.

 

69.       Our main objective is to accelerate action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs!

 

70.       Due to the pandemic, the climate crisis and an increased number of conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies, the food security situation is not improving.

 

71.       Instead, there is an increase of acute food insecurity in many locations, with close to 45 million people close to starvation, mostly in the rural areas.

 

72.       Agrifood systems are at the core of all these global challenges.

 

73.       The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 will guide our work over the next decade.

 

74.       Our colleagues in the decentralized offices will be at the forefront of implementation on the ground,

 

75.       But each of us must ask ourselves what does 4 Betters as a whole “Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for All ” - mean in your specific role and daily work for the duty station.

 

76.       The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 means new narrative, new direction,  new design and new package of solutions,

 

77.       And implies tangible changes in emphasis in what we do at all levels. 

 

78.       The Four Betters are interconnected and are our compass – to guide us in the right direction.  Leaving no one behind is our ultimate goal. Transformation of agrifood systems is a universal approach for SDGs, especially on SDG2, SDG1 and SDG10. Hand in hand Initiative is an effective roadmap for us to help the vulnerable.

 

79.       If we are to succeed in fighting hunger, we need to tackle its root causes. 

 

80.       FAO needs to be present when there are emergencies and crises, to support countries and people to recover and be more resilient.

 

81.       We need to contribute to peace and rebuilding agrifood systems, and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.

 

82.       To carry out our work effectively, we need to work in close collaboration with the UN wide system, especially with the UN Country Teams.

 

83.       This is particularly important in supporting Members to implement their national pathways resulting from the UN Food Systems Summit process, for which FAO will host the Coordination Hub.

 

84.       Following the recent endorsement of the Adjustments to the PWB 2022-23 by the Council,

 

85.       We are now ready to start implementation of our Progams of Work for the next biennium, and accelerate delivery on the ground.

Dear Colleagues,

 

86.       I had declared 2020 as the Year of Efficiency!

 

87.       2021, built on this and was the Year of Effectiveness!

 

88.       Now, 2022 will be the Year of the Extraordinary for FAO!

 

89.       “Extraordinary” should apply to all our actions - from strategic thinking to concrete actions.

 

90.       Extraordinary efforts are required to achieve extraordinary results.

 

91.       As FAO, we have the extraordinary opportunity to support Members to build back better,

 

92.       And to transform our agrifood systems to make them more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable!

 

93.       I count on each and every one of you as a member of FAO big family and as a global teammate to do the extraordinary together.

 

94.       I thank each of you with all my heart for your dedication, your passion and your contribution.

 

95.       You will be my extraordinary employees!

 

96.       And I wish you all have a safe and sound, health and happy 2022, the Year of Tiger by Chinese lunar calendar!

 

97.       Thank you!