FAO Brussels Dialogue Joint FAO-French Presidency of the EU Council Event: Forests for livelihoods, climate and biodiversity: solution pathways to halt deforestation
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
15/03/2022
FAO Brussels Dialogue
Joint FAO-French Presidency of the EU Council Event:
Forests for livelihoods, climate and biodiversity: solution pathways to halt deforestation
Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
15 March 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
1. Today’s event builds on the commitments of the UN Food Systems Summit and COP26.
2. Now, we need to turn our promises into concrete actions.
3. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, together with its partners, is committed to build back better and greener under FAO strategic framework 2022-31,
4. For better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
5. We can no longer work in silos.
6. Agrifood systems transformation and forest protection, restoration and management must go hand in hand.
7. We must address trade-offs and maximize synergies between agrifood systems and forests to truly meet the challenge of producing sufficient, safe and healthy food for a growing population,
8. While conserving our natural resources and biodiversity.
9. Today’s environmental, health and social crises call for urgent action for a sustainable recovery.
10. Transforming agrifood systems and promoting a model where forests support agriculture and agriculture supports forests is possible,
11. But we need increased political, financial and technical investment.
12. We must promote win-win solutions for increased sustainable production, while halting deforestation.
13. More than 20 developing countries have already shown that it is possible.
14. Recent data confirms that deforestation has been successfully reduced in South America and Asia.
15. This can be achieved through:
• national policies that promote sustainable local markets;
• a green and circular economy;
• repurposed agricultural subsidies;
• setting clear national targets for sustainable agricultural development and forest protection and sustainable use; and
• secure land tenure and land rights for farmers in agri-forestry.
16. FAO will work to catalyze and scale-up efforts aimed at transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.
17. FAO will also promote the contribution of forests to this transformation, through a triple pathway approach on: conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forests.
18. Empowering and incentivizing smallholders, women and youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities - who are the guardians of almost half of the world’s forest and farmlands - must be at the core of agrifood systems transformation.
19. Their involvement is fundamental.
20. Market-based measures to improve the sustainability of agrifood systems are also becoming increasingly important,
21. Considering the constant growth of international trade in agricultural and forest commodities.
22. They must however support the weakest actors in the targeted supply chains, increase transparency and reward progress.
23. FAO is committed to addressing these challenges through science and innovation, and knowledge and capacity development, in both agrifood systems and rural development.
24. Our commitment is rooted in our partnerships.
25. Working closely with the African Union has led to the development of the Sustainable Forest Management Framework for Africa,
26. With a vision of Africa that will have zero deforestation and forest degradation to ensure prosperity, food security and resilience.
27. FAO’s longstanding and fruitful relationship with the European Union has led to impactful and transformative programmes, such as:
• UN-REDD,
• The FAO-EU Forest Law Enforcement,
• The Governance and Trade Programme, and
• The Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme.
28. In this context, I wish to commend the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union for co-organizing this event,
29. And for showing ambition in its international and national leadership to combat deforestation.
30. We must continue working together in an efficient, effective and coherent manner,
31. Together with governments, the private sector, academic institutions, local communities, women and youth,
32. For a greener and more sustainable future for the next generations.
33. I wish you a successful event.
34. Thank you.