Global Event of Virtual Parliamentary Dialogues on Food Security and Nutrition in the time of COVID-19
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
22/09/2021
Global Event of Virtual Parliamentary Dialogues on
Food Security and Nutrition in the time of COVID-19
Video Message
By Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
22 September 2021
Honourable Members of Parliaments,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. The world received a harsh wake-up call from COVID-19.
2. As the pandemic spread worldwide, so did its impacts and challenges to human health, economies and societies.
3. Parliamentarians from across the world took decisive action to counter the effects of the global pandemic.
4. Recognizing the need for new laws and policies aimed at eradicating hunger and malnutrition, new legislations were implemented in record time.
5. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda requires urgent and fundamental transformation.
6. We must take a coordinated, multi-dimensional approach to avoid a historic setback in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
7. Parliamentary Alliances are strategic to addressing the key drivers of food insecurity.
8. Your work is key to ensuring governments’ accountability and implementation of political commitments.
9. FAO supports more than 45 national, regional and subregional parliamentary networks worldwide.
10. As a result, more than 35 laws have been developed and adopted on:
• family farming,
• responsible investments in agriculture,
• food loss and waste.
• gender equality and women’s empowerment, and
• school feeding programs, front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
11. Political will is central if we are to achieve food security for all.
12. You are the key actors to create and sustain this political will.
13. FAO Members recently endorsed a new Strategic Framework 2022-2031 to drive transformation of agri-food systems to be MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,
14. And to address hunger, poverty and inequality over the next decade.
15. The Strategic Framework's ambitions for the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, will be underpinned by FAO’s work with Parliamentarian Alliances and networks.
Dear Colleagues,
16. FAO remains firmly committed to supporting national and regional parliaments in their efforts to promote food security and nutrition.
17. We recognize the crucial role you play,
18. And count on your work to build a globally coordinated response to the daunting challenges posed by COVID-19 and others.
19. FAO is committed to our collective mission of creating a world of solidarity and cohesion for a better future where no one is left behind!
20. Thank you.