VIENTIANE – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, is set to arrive in Lao PDR on Tuesday, 18 February, for a three-day visit to further strengthen the organization's collaboration with the country.

The Director-General is expected to meet with senior leadership during his visit and to discuss relevant issues and outline FAO’s work globally and in Lao PDR, focusing on eliminating hunger and improving food security in the context of minimizing the impacts of climate change.

Qu Dongyu has stressed the crucial role that FAO, which has 194 member states, can play in addressing the key global challenges and accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals for all.

Priority challenges requiring urgent attention remain, including persistent rates of malnutrition, climate change-related risks to agriculture, ongoing natural resource depletion and, and increased risks posed by trans-boundary animal and plant pests and diseases.

A former Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Qu Dongyu was elected FAO Director-General last year.

Established in 1978, FAO Representation in Lao PDR continues to work with a wide range of governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, with civil society, and with the private sector. FAO’s work in Lao PDR has been supported by and delivered in collaboration with a wide variety of regional and international development partners.