Director-General QU Dongyu

Bilateral meeting with the Vice-Minister for Agricultural Affairs of Colombia, H.E. Aura Maria Duarte Rojas

17/10/2023

Rome – The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met with the Vice-Minister for Agricultural Affairs of Colombia, H.E. Aura Maria Duarte Rojas, on the sidelines of the World Food Forum, which is taking place at FAO headquarters in Rome from 16 to 20 October.

The Director General highlighted Colombia's great potential to produce more using fewer inputs, not only in relation to coffee, but also cocoa, avocado and other crops. He noted that FAO has a large operational program in Colombia, which can support the Colombian government on several fronts to promote the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Hand in Hand Initiative was an important platform to improve dairy, cocoa and coffee production. She noted that the possible impacts of El Niño will present greater challenges for agricultural sectors in Colombia. The Vice Minister also highlighted that Colombia intends to strengthen cooperation with FAO to promote structural transformation in some rural areas of the country.

The Director-General reiterated FAO’s continued support to Nicaragua and looked forward to further strengthening collaboration.