FAO Liaison Office in New York
10/02/2026 | Press release | Archived content
FAO Director-General underscores agrifood systems transformation at UNGA 81
New York -During the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu led the Organization's delegation and advanced FAO priorities through discussions, thematic events and bilateral focused on concrete action to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The Director-General attended the opening of the General debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, (81st General Debate), highlighting FAO's role as a key partner in these dialogues.
Advancing ocean action through multilateral cooperation
At the Solutions Dialogue on Ocean Action and Leadership, the Director-General emphasized that "the ocean and climate cannot be treated as separate systems," calling for a holistic approach and a package of practical solutions. He advocated for the integration of agrifood solutions into the COP31 agenda, decision-ready science, and greater investment in ocean-related action.
22 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu joins a standing ovation following United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres's address at the opening of the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
22 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu greets Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, following the Solutions Dialogue on Ocean Action and Leadership during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
Turning water challenges into action for resilient agriculture
The Director-General focused on the foundations of more efficient and resilient agrifood systems at the High-Level Ministerial Majlis and Implementation Dialogue, "From Water Stress to Implementation: Building Country Pathways for Water-Secure Agriculture," convened by the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations. At the dialogue, he emphasized the need for better information, referred to water prices, and urged Members to make science- and data-based decisions to improve water-use efficiency and direct investment where it can have the greatest impact. He also attended the Climate Action and the Just Transition event.
23 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu walks to a high-level meeting with members of the FAO delegation, including FAO Special Adviser to the Director-General Rodney Hunter, FAO Assistant Director-General and Legal Counsel Donata Rugarabamu, FAO Senior Regional Coordinator for North America Jeff Brez, and FAO Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Su Guo, during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
23 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu speaks at the High-Level Ministerial Majlis and Implementation Dialogue, "From Water Stress to Implementation: Building Country Pathways for Water-Secure Agriculture," convened at the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations during UNGA81 High-Level Week. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
23 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu attends the high-level event on Climate Action and the Just Transition during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
Underscoring the role of agrifood systems in achieving food security and nutrition goals
At the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Rome Coalition for Fertilizer Access and Food Security, convened by Italy and Croatia, the Director-General called for coordinated action, open trade, reliable access to fertilizer and seeds, more efficient fertilizer use to promote agrifood systems that support smallholder farmers and rural communities. At the high-level event "Our Children Cannot Wait: Leadership for Child Survival and Nutrition," he stressed that lasting progress in child survival is not possible without food security and access to healthy diets, which are a consequence of agrifood systems that can deliver. During both events, the Director-General underscored the need to ensure agrifood systems function efficiently, inclusively, resiliently and sustainably to address global food security challenges.
24 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu speaks with His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, African Union Nutrition Champion, at the high-level side event "Our Children Cannot Wait: Leadership for Child Survival and Nutrition," held during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
24 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu addresses the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Rome Coalition for Fertilizer Access and Food Security, convened by Italy and Croatia during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
A call for multilateral cooperation and holistic approaches
At the High-level Dialogue marking the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) the Director-General highlighted solidarity, multilateral cooperation and inclusive development as essential to support countries in transforming agrifood systems. At the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, the Director-General highlighted the role of agrifood systems in prevention, called for a true One Health approach across sectors, and stressed the need for investment and international cooperation to strengthen preparedness and response.
25 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu attends the high-level event "Expanding the Finance Base: The Urgent Case for Scaling Up Loss and Damage Finance" during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
25 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu speaks during the panel discussion "The World Together: Multilateral Action for Coordinated Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Including Sharing of Best Practices and Lessons Learnt So Far," at the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
25 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu delivers a statement at the High-Level Dialogue marking the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
Building partnerships through bilateral dialogue
Alongside these thematic events, the Director-General held bilateral meetings with LI Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; H.E. Ambassador Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly; H.E Ambassador Lina Eugenia Ajoy Rojas, Secretary General of the Central American Integration System and Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London.
22 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu meets LI Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, during a bilateral meeting held on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
23 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu presents a calligraphy gift to H.E. Dr Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, during their bilateral meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
22 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu greets H.E. Ambassador Lina Eugenia Ajoy Rojas, Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), before their bilateral meeting at the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, held on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. ©FAO/Roberto Schmidt.
22 September 2026, New York, USA. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu meets Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, during a bilateral meeting at the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, held on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. ©FAO.
Throughout the UNGA81, the Director-General consistently underscored the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems as a key part of the solution to today's interconnected global challenges. He emphasized science-based solutions, stronger partnerships and coordinated action to support Members in transforming agrifood systems to advance the four betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
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