FAO at the service of Members to transform agri-food systems

FAO reaffirmed its commitment to revamp efforts and support to Members for an agri-food systems transformation for a Zero Hunger world

8 October, New York – The Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the UN in New York, QU Guangzhou, submitted a statement today during the General Debate segment of UNGA Second Committee deliberations. Following yesterday’s message delivered by FAO on behalf of the Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) for food and agriculture, Qu reiterated the policy and investment mechanisms through which FAO is operationalizing support to its Members. 

His statement echoed the evidence and calls to action from the Secretary-General Reports that FAO presented earlier this week to the Committee. FAO played a leading role in drafting and providing substantive inputs to the reports on agriculture development, food security and nutrition and on the eradication of rural poverty, together with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and on the implementation of the UN Decade for Family Farming, in coordination with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Towards a paradigm shift, putting family farmers and the rural poor first

“The drivers of food insecurity are multidimensional in nature, and their far-reaching ripple effects across all other SDGs are too grave,” Qu stated, warning that the cost of inaction is high, as climate extremes and conflict are more prevalent, natural resources and biodiversity are under stress, and rural people find themselves under extreme duress. 

Director Qu stated that FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031 acts as a roadmap for how FAO will contribute to build back better and stronger from the pandemic and, in doing so, accelerate efforts during the Decade of Action with eyes on 2030.

“Our efforts are geared towards supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind,” he said.

Director Qu also mentioned two noteworthy initiatives, thorugh which FAO is operationalizing its support to Members. 

FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, an evidence-based, country-led and country-owned initiative, prioritizes countries where national capacities and international support are most limited. The Initiative leverages the most sophisticated tools available, including advanced geo-spatial modelling, coordinates and fosters partnerships with multilateral development banks and other UN agencies aimed at accelerating agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development.

As for FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, seven priority actions to mitigate the immediate impacts of the pandemic while strengthening the long-term resilience of food systems and livelihoods, have been identified. Through this programme, FAO seeks to foment and broker meaningful partnerships to prevent global future food emergencies.

Feeding into the momentum from the Food Systems Summit

“Together with the Rome-based Agencies and a wide array of partners, FAO is committed in ensuring the follow-up, monitoring and implementation of the outcomes coming out of the Summit,” he affirmed through his statement.

In turn, FAO, IFAD and WFP will take a leadership role to ensure that the Food Systems Summit’s follow-up catalyzes action in the five areas outlined by the Secretary-General: nourish all people; boost nature-based solutions; advance equitable livelihoods, decent work and empowered communities; build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stresses; and support means of implementation.

Director Qu added that the agri-food systems transformation we need can only be successful if there is coherence between legislation, policies and investments across the food, health, social protection and environment sectors; if the digital divide is bridged, using the power of science, technology and innovation to empower those who have been marginalized; and if our efforts build on territorial, ecosystem and Indigenous Peoples’ food systems approaches moving forward.

Related links

• Read the full statement from Director Qu Guangzhou.
• Read more on FAO’s role in presenting the SG Reports on rural poverty; agriculture, food security and nutrition; and family farming.
• Revisit FAO’s engagements and highlights during the UNGA 76 High-level week.
• Visit the dedicated website of the UNGA Second Committee.