The 172nd session of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) kicked off in Rome on Apr. 24. Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), led a delegation to the session. Ambassador Guang Defu, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, also participated. 

The session reviewed 22 key matters including the Medium-Term Plan 2022-25, the Programme of Work and Budget (2024-25), global food security challenges and its drivers, and arrangements for the 43rd Session of the FAO Conference. As the only candidate for the post of FAO Director-General to be elected in 2023, incumbent Director-General Qu Dongyu addressed the Council. A total of 49 Members of the Council attended the session, which lasted five days.

Vice Minister Zhang delivered remarks on behalf of the Chinese delegation during the session. He spoke very highly of the work of Director-General Qu since he took office in 2019. In particular, as the world confronted multiple challenges, Director-General Qu has effectively improved FAO’s work and achievements by better coordinating global efforts in agriculture and food, so as to achieve the “Four Betters” and cope with the global food crisis. Director-General Qu also proposed a number of flagship projects, such as the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, the 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product Initiative, and the Green Cities Initiative. Members have fully affirmed and actively participated in these projects. Vice Minister Zhang said China will, as always, continue to support FAO and Director-General Qu, deepen cooperation with all FAO Members, and help realize the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Vice Minister Zhang held a work meeting with Director-General Qu during the session. They further exchanged views on deepening practical cooperation between China and FAO. Vice Minister Zhang also held work meetings with Luigi D’Eramo, Undersecretary of State to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of Italy, and the ambassadors of Mexico, South Africa and other countries to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, respectively, to exchange views on enhancing bilateral agricultural cooperation.