Agrifood systems transformation takes center stage at the UNGA81

New York - As world leaders gather in New York from Monday, 21 September, through Monday, 28 September for the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), FAO will, from 21 to 25 September, bring its wealth of data, evidence and analysis along with its technical expertise to high-level discussions and events, through a delegation led by Director-General QU Dongyu, and including senior FAO leaders.

Alongside other engagements throughout the week, the Director-General will participate in the Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), reaffirming FAO's support for LDCs to transform agrifood systems, translating global commitments into tangible results. He will also engage in the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Rome Coalition, which is focused on addressing fertilizer access and other pressures affecting agrifood systems.

The Director-General will bring FAO's perspective as a member of the One Health Quadripartite at "The World Together: Multilateral Action for Coordinated Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response." He will also join the "High-level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI)," adding an agrifood systems dimension to discussions on shared development priorities and cooperation, and at the event, "Our Children Cannot Wait: Leadership, Solidarity, and Action for Child Survival and Nutrition," he will highlight FAO's support for African-led efforts to strengthen nutrition outcomes.

In addition, FAO's Deputy Directors-Generals Beth Bechdol and Maurizio Martina, together with Chief Economist, Máximo Torero Cullen, will participate in a range of UNGA81 events covering issues including food crises, child nutrition, hunger and poverty, and support for Haiti, underscoring the Organization's commitment to collective action.

FAO's engagements at UNGA81 will underscore its work with Members and partners to address common challenges through agrifood systems transformation for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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