Addressing the plenary meeting in the closing session of the 159^th Session of the Council, the Director-General expressed his appreciation to delegates for their commitment and hard work to achieve consensus, in line with the practice established at FAO since 2012. In particular, acknowledging the efforts of the Independent Chairperson of Council, Khalid Mehboob and the Friends of the Chair with regard to reaching an agreement on the mandatory age of separation (MAS). He quoted Ambassador Hisham Badr, Chairperson of the Group of G77 and China, noting that it is not easy to achieve consensus, “but it is the way that best serves the Organization.”

“Keeping consensus and maintaining the trust between management and members is the only way to make the Organization better” said the Director-General. Graziano da Silva pointed out however, that FAO cannot continue to more with less and that the rise in the numbers of hungry, forced to migrate in desperate conditions, warranted the Organization doing more with more.

The Council welcomed the outstanding results obtained by the Organization in 2016-17 biennium as outlined in the Programme Implementation Report (PIR). However it urged all member countries to make payment of their assessed contributions in full and on time. In this regard, the Director-General observed the current difficult financial situation of the Organization, remarking that 47 percent of assessed contributions were outstanding as of 6 June 2018 and that 62 countries had arrears from 2017 and previous years amounting to USD 186 million and EUR 130 million.

Support from donors to continue critical activities in the coming years is fundamental, as in the case of the Green Climate Fund where there is concern that lack of adequate funding could undermine the Organization’s efforts to support members in responding to the impacts of climate change.

Management will continue to follow the guidance of the Council and the Regional Conferences to carry on strengthening the capacity of the Organization’s decentralized offices where the real fight against hunger will be won or lost.

On human resources matters, the Council ruled in consensus that the new staff regulation 301.9.5 in respect of FAO staff members recruited prior to 1 January 2014 shall take effect on 1 July 2019. On the processes and measures in place concerning sexual harassment, Graziano da Silva reaffirmed his full commitment to an FAO free of any form of harassment, in particular any form of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation or abuse.  He reiterated this commitment in his closing address, confirming that the Organization would implement the approach agreed by the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB), including to carry out an internal survey in line with the common methodology established within the UN system.

A new five year Memorandum of Understanding between FAO, IFAD and WFPwas signed on 6 June by the heads of the Rome-based agencies. “This Memorandum will be very important to enhance even more the collaboration, coordination and synergies between the three agencies, especially at country level. Working closely together is fundamental to better support our member countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said the Director-General.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel addressed the Council. The Argentinian artist and activist had a direct message “Hunger is a crime which we must overcome. Humanity is in a position to do it.”