AFRICA REGIONAL GROUP HANDOVER CEREMONY 2025 Welcome Remarks

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to start by thanking the outgoing Chairperson of the Africa Group, Ambassador Fatimata Cheiffou, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Niger, for her leadership and support over the past year.

I also wish to thank all the members of the Africa Group for their ongoing support and participation in the work of the Organization. I always say that if Africa is united, you will become stronger.

I always support Africa unconditionally – that has always been the focus in my life.

During these challenging times we need solidarity, which is why the focus of the South African G20 Presidency is Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability – it is imperative that these three pillars be interlinked, they cannot be taken individually.

I also wish to thank the incoming Chairperson, Mr Mina Rizk, Alternate Permanent Representative of Egypt to FAO, as well as His Excellency Bassam Essam Rady Abdelhamid Rady, Permanent Representative of Egypt to FAO. He is a good friend and a strong supporter of FAO’s mandate, also because Egypt hosts the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa – they walk the talk!

Even though Egypt is not a rich country, they have firmly supported FAO’s mandate over the years and especially now during these difficult times with ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world, including in Gaza.

With passion and action, Egypt and FAO continue to work together, and together with other UN agencies, to minimize and mitigate the horrible risks of conflict.

During times of crisis, a friend in need is a friend indeed!

I wish to ask the Permanent Representative to send my best regards to His Excellency President El-Sisi, whom I consider him as a good friend of mine.

The Africa Group continues to be instrumental in shaping FAO’s governance, and in contributing to our discussions and actions. 

I thank you for your collaboration, both as individual countries and also collectively, and most importantly as key members of the FAO family.

The Regional Groups are vital platforms for dialogue and collaboration across the Organization, addressing core issues such as food security, nutrition, and rural development, as well as to support the world’s most vulnerable people who need our support the most.

I acknowledge the significant contributions of all FAO Regional Groups and their important role in informing discussions and providing guidance for the effective implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.

As FAO Director-General, I am firmly committed to the FAO Strategic Framework and to the Four Betters – better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life - this has been my firm focus since I took office in 2019.

We need to remain coherent and determined to our long-term vision for change, otherwise we will lose our direction. But we also need to change our business model in line with global evolvements.

I told the FAO Townhall meeting yesterday that we need to change and adapt in line with changing funding. We need to mitigate by shifting our programme of work to minimize cuts. This is the process of evolution.

Addressing hunger and poverty requires continued collaboration and strategic action, and I urge you to maintain your commitment to our shared vision, guided by the Four Betters, to achieve shared prosperity and ensure that no one is left behind.

Last year, your group took part in all the important discussions and governing body meetings, such as the FAO Technical Committees.

You also played a key role in preparing for the 33rd Africa Regional Ministerial Conference in Morocco - which was very successful due to the large participation of Ministers and the excellent organization by the host country - where regional priorities were identified to address evolving challenges.

Likewise, the Regional Conference for the Near East and North Africa was also very successful reflecting the coherency and consistency in FAO’s programme of work. This is due to your work and support as important bridges in ensuring we can continue with our work, notwithstanding difficult circumstances.

My dear sisters and brothers,

Africa holds a unique and vital position in FAO’s work, with immense potential driven by its abundant natural resources, youthful population, and an untapped domestic food market that can significantly boost production and spark transformative change in rural areas.

Twenty years later the modernization of Africa brings us hope – hope for a further increase of at least five to seven percent for a new scenario on the African continent, further building and strengthening its self-reliance.

For this reason, I continue to encourage African leaders to support agrifood systems transformation and rural development across the continent.

Collaborating closely with the African Union and other regional bodies remains crucial as we support national governments and institutions, aligning our efforts with the 2030 Agenda,

As well as to promote Africa’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a united, prosperous Africa driven by regional integration, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth.

It emphasizes peace, security, effective governance, and the empowerment of youth and women, while celebrating Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

These align perfectly with FAO’s mandate and our Strategic Framework, as well as our focus on ensuring food security on the African continent, and beyond.

FAO is here to support and facilitate you to achieve YOUR agenda, your Agenda 2063.

The challenges are many, but so are the opportunities.

I just came back from Johannesburg where I attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It is an historical G20 as it is being held for the first time ever on African soil. For this reason, there was a strong participation of African leaders, and we need to strongly and collectively support this process.

In Johannesburg, I commended South Africa’s G20 Presidency for prioritizing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, which are key to achieving the SDGs, especially SDG2 and SDG1.

We need renewed political commitment and substantial investments to transform the continent’s agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.

We also need stronger partnerships. We need to continue working together efficiently, effectively and coherently, together with all relevant partners, including through South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

For this reason, I was happy to hear at the G20 meeting the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and France affirm that they are not donors, but investors in Africa – not fathers, but brothers. These are the constructive partnerships we need.

Dear Friends,

I look forward to deepening and strengthening our collaboration ever further, and to your continued support. I wish to reaffirm my personal and FAO’s ongoing commitment to Africa.

I am confident that under the able guidance of the incoming Chair, the Africa Group will continue to reach new heights in transforming Africa’s agrifood systems for the benefit of all Africans, the continent, and our planet.

This is a critical year for Africa. We need to use the opportunity to leave our mark because history will judge us for what we have done for the younger generation.

Let us continue to think bigger, longer and do more concrete to lead the transformation of agrifood systems, and for the Renaissance of FAO.

This will continue to be my focus until the end of my term as FAO Director-General, and I continue to count on your support.

I thank you.