HIGH-LEVEL EVENT ON THE FAO-CHINA SSC PROGRAMME PHASE III “Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Global Agricultural Development”

HIGH-LEVEL EVENT ON THE FAO-CHINA SSC PROGRAMME PHASE III

 “Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Global Agricultural Development”

Opening Remarks

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

28 February 2022

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

1.         FAO is pleased to co-organize this important and timely event with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.

 

2.         South-South and Triangular Cooperation is increasingly important for driving global agricultural development and transformation.

 

3.         Today, we have the opportunity to discuss how we can improve our cooperation and tangible results together.

 

4.         Globally, the agrifood sector continues to face critical challenges.

 

5.         Approximately 811 million people go hungry every day, and almost 3 billion do not have access to healthy diets.

 

6.         The pandemic is pushing more people into poverty and hunger.

 

7.         Effective South-South and Triangular Cooperation is critical to reverse this unacceptable trend, and to build forward better and stronger.

 

8.         Global solidarity is vital.

 

9.         FAO has been at the forefront of South-South and Triangular Cooperation for over 40 years, with extensive experience, wide network and a large portfolio of cooperation initiatives.

 

10.       China has been a key strategic partner to FAO on South-South Cooperation since 1996, contributing over 130 million US Dollars to our Cooperation Programme, and dispatching over 1000 experts to countries in the South.

 

11.       China’s generous and consistent contributions have brought far-reaching and sustainable impact.

 

12.       The recently pledged 50 million US Dollars, as part of the third phase of the Cooperation Programme, is highly and deeply grateful by FAO members.

 

13.       We need more support both from the North and the South for 2030 agenda.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

14.       Through our Strategic Framework 2022-31, FAO is leading global efforts towards the transformation to more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems,

 

15.       For better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all – leaving no one behind. 

 

16.       South-South and Triangular Cooperation is one of key channels to address the challenges posed by global hunger, malnutrition, poverty and inequality.

 

17.       In this regard, our new Guidelines for Action 2022-25 provide a framework for scaling-up technical and financial partnerships.

 

18.       We must harness its full potential by focusing our efforts in five key areas:

 

19.       First: Science, technology and innovation

 

20.       We need climate-smart agriculture and digital solutions that reach smallholder farmers in rural areas.

 

21.       The Global South is one of important providers to world-class institutes and innovation centres of excellence, and they must be able to contribute scien-tech products and innovation-focused knowledge and tools in a meaningful way.

 

22.       Second: Agriculture and Emergencies

 

23.       South-South and Triangular Cooperation is a key component of FAO’s response to emergencies.

 

24.       It helps deliver critically needed technical assistance and services that benefit vulnerable groups, including rural farmers, women and youth.

 

25.       Third: Finance and investment

 

26.       We cannot achieve large-scale impact without sustained finance and investment.

 

27.       Substantial resources lie within the private sector, and FAO will continue working to engage more closely with private sector on responsible investment and marketing for agrifood systems, including through our Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

 

28.       Fourth: Diversified support

 

29.       To help us achieve our objectives, we will provide tailored capacity-building support to our Members.

 

30.       This will include technical assistance to SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs,

 

31.       As well as a platform for countries in the North to actively engage in Triangular Cooperation initiatives.

 

32.       And Five: Collaboration

 

33.       FAO will continue working closely with other UN Agencies to deliver as One UN, at global, regional and country levels.

 

34.       Together, we must act innovatively, efficiently and effectively,

 

35.       To achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

36.       Thank you.