Director-General meets Canada's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

17 January, Berlin - QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, and Chris Forbes, Canada's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food met today on the sidelines of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture.

They discussed the importance of income security for farmers so that farmers can grow more sustainable crops, and agreed on the need for sustainable, environmentally-friendly and community-driven rural development that provides youth employment in the years to come.

Forbes outlined his country's priority areas for collaboration with FAO - science and innovation,and standard-setting for international trade in food safety, and plant and animal health. Gender equality is also a priority for Canada, and the Canadian Government sees the empowerment of women and girls key to sustainable development.

The Director-General noted that FAO would welcome if Canada would take an increasing role in digitalization, capacity building and knowledge transfer in agriculture.

Canada, for example, is applying a “Living laboratories approach” to build “on farm” research agenda.

The Director-General spoke about FAO's Hand-in-Hand initiative, stressing the positive role this initiative could play in achieving progress on Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2, which are currently lagging behind. The initiative can also help to improve the efficient allocation of international development funds. 

Qu encouraged Canada to actively engage in the Hand-in-Hand initiative, expressing his hope for greater collaboration between Canada and FAO to end hunger in the world. 

Forbes invited the Director-General to the biennial Informal North American Regional Conference (INARC), hosted by Canada in Quebec City in April 2020.