Rome - For the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 has been as "extraordinary" as promised, in terms of circumstances, efforts and results, Director-General QU Dongyu said today in opening remarks to the 171st Session of the FAO Council.
He reported to Members that the Organization has successfully advocated for large-scale financial support for vulnerable countries in the face of rising food prices, proven its credibility as a development partner by mobilizing unprecedented levels of resources from donors, and demonstrated its effectiveness by reaching record numbers of people with life-saving and livelihood-supporting assistance.
Amid a wave of intense challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, protracted conflicts, the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine, FAO "has demonstrated a readiness to adapt rapidly, and respond to changes agilely," Qu said. "The Organization is now globally recognized as a professional, trusted partner of all stakeholders working to eradicate poverty, hunger and malnutrition," he added.
"Our future strategic direction is transparent and inclusive, and includes all of you, working together towards our global goals," the Director-General told delegates. FAO, and I, continue to be your partner on this extraordinary journey."
"We have a strong FAO and can make it even stronger," said Hans Hoogeveen, Independent Chairperson of the Council. Without intensified collaboration and action, the number of people suffering from hunger will rise above one billion in 2023, he warned.
