China's Vice Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Affairs, Qu Dongyu, was elected this Sunday (23), with 108 votes, as the new director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). He will hold the position for the next four years, from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2023. The Brazilian government officially supported Dongyu's election to the FAO and Minister Tereza Cristina (Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply) participated in the vote, in Rome.
After his election, Dongyu pledged to maintain fairness and transparency in his role and said he would be impartial and neutral as FAO’s board member. “I will work for the people and for all farmers. For a dynamic FAO, for a better world,” he said.
The Chinese delegation stressed that the new director-general will reform the FAO in a short period of time and assured that China will maintain its commitments to global cooperation in favor of agricultural development. Other countries also congratulated the winner, including France, Italy, Kuwait, Thailand, Equatorial Guinea, Bangladesh, Canada, Cape Verde, Germany, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda. The Uruguayan delegation spoke on behalf of Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing that the region will have open doors for the new FAO director.
Brazilian José Graziano da Silva, who has held the position of FAO Director-General since 2012, congratulated the winner and presented him with the new FAO badge. Minister Tereza Cristina congratulated Graziano on his time as FAO Director-General.
Dongyu beat out France's Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, who received 71 votes, and Georgia's Davit Kirvalidze, who received 12 votes. He has been China's Vice Minister of Agriculture since 2015 and holds a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. His agenda focuses on facilitating the international agenda of developing countries and digital inclusion in the countryside. In his presentation speech, Dongyu advocated innovation and the use of technology in agriculture.
Dongyu visited Brazil last March, where he held meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Argentina and Uruguay also supported Dongyu's election.
The Chinese vice-minister said the FAO should denounce abuses that jeopardize food security. He promised major reforms in the structure and functioning of FAO teams to support member states, an increase of 10% in resources each year, and the development of programs for young farmers and women.
Qu Dongyu advocates that FAO policies be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, in particular with the eradication of hunger and poverty, with the sustainable increase of agricultural and food production and with the promotion of an international agricultural trade system free from distortions and undue restrictions without an adequate scientific basis.
Post: Marina Carvejani
Author: DATA
Source: DATA
