FAO in North America

Virtual Event – Commemorating 75 Years of FAO (Oct 22)

21/10/2020
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the first and largest specialized organization of the United Nations. Its North American roots run deep. The idea for such an organization was sparked during a meeting, called by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in Hot Springs, Virginia in 1943. The 44 nations present, including both Canada and the U.S. declared their belief that “the goal of freedom from want of food, suitable and adequate for the health and strength of all peoples, can be achieved.” Two years later, in Quebec City, Lester B. Pearson chaired the First Session of the FAO Conference from October 16-November 1, 1945, formally bringing the organization into existence.

Despite tremendous progress across many domains, the freedom from want of food has proven elusive over the last 75 years. The world is not on track to eliminate hunger and malnutrition (Sustainable Development Goal 2) by 2030, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation.

What have been the FAO’s major achievements since its inception?
What can the FAO do to help eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030?
How can the North American region best contribute to helping the FAO fulfill its mandate?

These questions and more will be discussed by a prestigious panel of guests on October 22, 2020. 

Date: October 22, 2020

Time: 9:00-10:00 EDT

Link to join:  75th Anniversary of the FAO - ENGLISH LINE ; 75th Anniversary of the FAO / 75e anniversaire de l'FAO - BILINGUAL LINE ; 75e anniversaire de la FAO - LIGNE FRANCAIS

Speakers

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada;

Sonny Perdue, United States Secretary of Agriculture;

Qu Dongyu, Director General of the FAO;

Nadine Girault, Minister of International Relations, Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, Québec; and 

André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation

Moderated by: Chris Forbes, Canadian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, AAFC