FAO engages with student groups in the framework of UN75 Dialogue

The experts of FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation delivered an introductory lecture on the mission, mandate and field activities of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for students of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and students of Moscow Higher School of Economics (HSE).

Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the Liaison Office, outlined the global challenges facing humanity that prompted UN Member States to adopt the2030-Agendain 2015 and define 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Nations agreed that, along with efforts to eradicate poverty and eliminate hunger (SDG 2 is one of the most important goals that FAO responsible for), transition to a sustainable development model is necessary in order to address the challenges of education, health, social protection and employment, climate change and environment.

“The growth of the world's population in the context of decreasing resources and urbanization means that it will be necessary to provide food to more people, while spending less water and reducing the burden on agricultural lands,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan, Liaison Officer with FAO’s Moscow Office. “To meet the growing demands for water, energy and food, humanity needs to move towards more sustainable approaches to production and consumption.”

Moreover, “producers need to grow more food while reducing negative environmental impacts, such as loss of soil fertility, water and nutrient scarcity, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem degradation. And consumers should be encouraged to switch to a nutritious and healthy diet with less negative consequences for the environment,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan.

Katerina Antonevich, Assistant Liaison Officer, told the student audience about FAO’s efforts to tackle the problem of food loss and waste (FLW) that lead to wasteful consumption of productive resources such as land, water, energy, and increase greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the FAO initiatives, “SAVE FOOD”, involves, among other things, the development of strategies and programmes to reduce food loss and waste, support investment by private and public sectors.

One of the ways to solve the problem of FLW is to reuse food surpluses, which can be converted into animal feed, soil fertilizers by composting, as well as into renewable energy sources, Katerina Antonevich underlined.

The meeting ended with a lively exchange. The audience consisting of local and foreign students studying in Moscow asked many profound questions, showing lively interest in the topics discussed.

* * *

The FAO lecture was part of a global discussion announced by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the role of international cooperation in building the future we all aspire for. The discussion-dialogue under the hashtag #UN75 was held to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its Food and Agriculture Organization.