FAO Employee Award Ceremony Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
16/12/2021
FAO Employee Award Ceremony
Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
16 December, 2021
Thank you Moderators.
Hello again to FAO colleagues around the world!
1. I am very happy to take the stage again, after our Town Hall meeting just a moment ago.
2. This time - to celebrate!
3. We have come together in what is now an established tradition at FAO:
4. To celebrate the women and men who rise FAO up together!
5. We are celebrating our fellow colleagues who are recognized today as the 100 Young and 100 Young-at-Heart.
6. As well as our teams, recognized for their outstanding collaboration and contribution under ONE FAO.
7. Last year’s ceremony was fully virtual – yet the spirit was that of One FAO.
8. This year under New Normal, our celebration is in hybrid mode, yet we are a stronger One FAO!
9. This hybrid mode also presents new evolution.
10. And I wish to thank all our colleagues who have contributed to make this event possible.
11. This year is my third time to recognize and appreciate the FAO employees since I came the office as your DG, but it is the first time we recognize our colleagues as part of the newly established FAO Employee Awards.
12. The FAO Conference in June 2021 approved a new, revamped FAO Awards programme, consolidating and establishing five categories of new corporate awards.
13. The fact that Employee Awards has been recognized and established by our Members as one of the highest corporate awards is very significant.
14. It confirms that our Members recognize the central role that you, each and every one of you, play in this Organization.
15. Today, we recognize and celebrate our individual colleagues and teams of colleagues for their contribution over the past year towards making FAO a great Organization.
16. There were over 500 nominations coming from every stream and region that are less than 4% of total employees.
17. An Organization-wide poll was conducted.
18. The 100 Young and 100 Young-at-Heart selected for 2021 are representative of the diversity of this Organization:
• 105 nationalities
• 84 duty stations
• Over two thirds from the fields
• Over one third are consultants
• More than half – almost 56% percent - are women!
19. Behind every successful Organization, there are efficiently and effectively coherent teams.
20. Teams working together, coordinating among silos, handling emergent issues, expanding outreach impacts from One FAO.
21. Today we celebrate these teams.
22. The One FAO Team Award recognizes efforts to further promote the spirit of collaboration across divisions and offices,
23. And acknowledges teams that have worked together towards a more innovative and impactful FAO.
24. Nominations have been received by heads of streams and regions, and were considered by the Core Leadership Team.
25. And today 18 teams will be recognized for 2021.
26. My congratulations to all the 2021 awardees!
27. I thank you for your determination and commitment, deliverables and consistency.
28. But I also want to thank once again ALL our colleagues, everywhere, for your hard work and contribution over the past year.
29. There is no FAO without you!
30. As I said during our Town Hall, 2022 will be the year of the EXTRAORDINARY FAO!
31. Let’s be inspired by each other,
32. Respect and remind each other.
33. And be EXTRAORDINARY together! I wish all of you and your beloved have a safe and sound, healthy and happy 2022, the Year of Tiger by Chinese lunar calendar!
34. Have a good holiday! Thank you very much!