Team FAO: vibrant, efficient and dynamic

Close to the curtain fall of the year, Aghasi Harutyunyan, Deputy Director of FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, was chosen is one of the best 100 young individuals and ten teams from across all streams and offices of FAO worldwide and noted for “remarkable performance under extraordinary circumstances in an exceptional year” within the framework of the annual FAO Employee Recognition Awards. 

Aghasi Harutyunyan, a national of Armenia, was posted to Moscow in February 2016, and was one of the first staff of the-then newly opened Liaison Office. Over the past years, he has helped build networks of collaboration with Russian governmental and non-governmental (academia, NGO and private sector) counterparts, facilitating FAO’s programme coordination; promoting its mandate among a wide range of stakeholders; as well as identifying opportunities for FAO to project organizational capacities and priorities into agendas and activities of partner organizations.  

During the outgoing year, he excelled in many areas of managerial work displaying remarkable leadership qualities and multiple relevant skills. 

The annual initiative, launched by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in 2019, recognized employees – 100 young and 100 “young at heart” seasoned – for achievements in the following areas: innovation; knowledge-sharing; operational effectiveness and efficiency; teamwork and collaboration; as well as diversity and inclusiveness.

These areas are in line with the Organization's priorities and contribute to FAO's four betters: better production; better nutrition; a better environment; and a better life.

Aghasi was selected in all five nominations by secret ballot with the participation of all FAO employees, staff and non-staff alike.

At a special celebration event broadcast online, the FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said: “Our employees are our greatest asset and new gold mine...We are here to celebrate all of you today. You keep this organization vibrant, efficient and dynamic. As individuals and as teams.”

“Together, we are building an FAO that is modern and transparent, accountable and deliverable, with a people-centred, people driven approach to our work and success,” the Director-General stated.

We congratulate our colleague and friend Aghasi and all the winners with this remarkable achievement!

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In 2019, Katerina Antonevich, Assistant Liaison Officer at FAOLOR, a FAO Gender Focal Point in Russia, a national of Belarus, was a nominee for 100 Best Young Employees at FAO.