Group of 77 and China Handover Ceremony

Statement by Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO

Group of 77 and China Handover Ceremony

15 March 2021

As prepared

 

Distinguished Ambassadors, Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. On 15 May 2020, when we met virtually for the previous Handover Ceremony, none of us imagined that today’s gathering would still be conducted in a virtual format.

2. As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, so are its unprecedented effects on all dimensions of human life, with the full economic and social impacts still unfolding.

3. The economic recession caused by the pandemic is increasing extreme poverty and food insecurity, while rolling back progress made over the past decades.  

4. I sincerely thank Ambassador Esti ANDAYANI, of Indonesia, for her hard work and leadership during the past extraordinary year.

5. The Group of 77 and China participated actively in the work of the FAO Governing Bodies in 2020, supporting FAO vision to be fit-for-purpose, modern, inclusive, and agile, through a modular and flexible structure, aiming to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

6. The Group focused on addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on agri-food systems and the ongoing preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit.

7. You encouraged the Rome-Based Agencies (RBAs) to use respective expertise and big data in providing evidence-based assessments of the pandemic’s impact on developing countries.

8. With your active and constructive participation and support, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative is developing in 35 Members of your Group.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. The pandemic also represents a rare, but narrow window of opportunity for us to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world to create a healthier, more equitable, and prosperous future.

10. To take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, we need to work collectively more than ever, to make our world a better and more resilient one. 

11. First, I encourage the Group to actively and constructively participate in the upcoming Governing Body Meetings leading to the 42nd Session of the FAO Conference to endorse FAO Strategic Framework (2022-2031).

12. The Strategic Framework that is focusing on the transformation to MORE efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable agri-food systems for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment, and a Better life, leaving no one behind.  

13. Second, ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit, I encourage the Members of Group to put special emphasis on the pre-Summit event, which is a crucial opportunity to provide valuable country experience and science-based inputs.

14. Third, I look forward to further strengthening our cooperation with the G77 and China on establishing a network of Southern Centre of Excellence from the agri-food sector, in synergy with the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the Food Coalition.

Dear Friends,

15. We are now at a historic juncture: FAO’s expertise, action, and delivery for global transformative change are needed more than ever before.

16. The contribution of the G77 and China Group in the Organization’s governance is very important to solidarity and FAO big family.

17. I wish to express a warm welcome to Ambassador Carlos CHERNIAK, of Argentina, who will take over as Chair of the Group as of today.

18. Ambassador, I wish you all the best in this new important function and I look forward to continued collaboration with the Group on key priority areas in the program of work of the Organization.

19. Thank you.