Dear Moderators,
Thank you for reaching out and providing an opportunity to contribute to the call for submissions on enhancing FAO's support in addressing governance of agrifood systems transformation. Drawing upon my experience as a former P-level FAO employee, I would like to present a set of recommendations aimed at optimizing FAO's impact and effectiveness in promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience within agrifood systems.
- Cost Optimization for International Staff and Consultants:
- Consider cost-cutting measures on international staff and consultants to allocate resources more efficiently, redirecting funds towards impactful initiatives.
- Strategic Approach to Studies and Reports:
- Prioritize the creation of reports that add substantial value, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes rather than generating unnecessary documentation.
- Efficient Use of Resources for Meetings and Conferences:
- Streamline the organization of meetings and conferences to reduce costs while maintaining the essential exchange of knowledge and collaboration.
- Long-Term Investments in Agriculture:
- Advocate for increased investments in agricultural higher education and the development of robust irrigation systems to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
- Harnessing Technology for Agricultural Advancements:
- Promote the adoption of technology to revolutionize production processes, enhance yield, minimize losses, and improve overall agricultural quality.
- Balancing Project Implementation with Core Functions:
- Emphasize a balanced approach to project implementation, ensuring that FAO remains focused on its core mission as a global leader in agriculture rather than becoming solely a project implementation entity.
- Transparent Hiring Processes:
- Enhance transparency in the recruitment process to maintain FAO's reputation as a technical agency and avoid politicization.
- Addressing Language Barriers:
- Advocate for a more inclusive approach by addressing language barriers in UN recruitment to ensure broader representation and accessibility.
- Strategic Spending Priorities:
- Review spending priorities, redirecting resources towards initiatives directly contributing to food production, availability, and utilization, while maintaining a judicious approach to topics like gender studies and environmental sustainability.
- FAO Leadership in Agriculture:
- Reinforce FAO's role as the preeminent leader in global agriculture, collaborating with other UN agencies to optimize their areas of expertise and allowing FAO to take the lead in agricultural and food security matters.
These recommendations aim to enhance FAO's efficiency, focus, and impact, ultimately contributing to the organization's mission of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems globally.
Thank you for considering these suggestions, and I look forward to the continued success of FAO's initiatives.
Best regards,
Sayed M Naim Khalid Independent Food System/FSQA Consultant
السيد Sayed M Naim Khalid