Director-General thanks FAO employees around the world for their hard work during past year

25 March 2021, Rome – FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, today addressed the Annual Assembly of the Association of Professionals in FAO, where he reflected on his efforts to make the Organization a better place to work, while noting that during the pandemic in the past year the Organization had seen reinforced trust and teamwork.

“The well-being of all employees and improved working conditions have been a priority of mine since day one,” Qu said.

‘’I am pleased to see how our concrete actions of the past 20 months have made a real difference in that respect.’’ Qu took office in August 2019.

The Director-General emphasized his commitment to promote transparency and accountability while highlighting specific initiatives to support staff, such as extending maternity leave, improving insurance conditions, establishing a Workplace Integrity Task Force, among others.

‘’We always say a friend in need is a friend indeed,” Qu said. "I try to introduce family values to build consensus and understanding."

Considering the impact of the pandemic on FAO’s global operations and its staff, the Director-General underlined the importance of staff representative bodies and their collaboration.

Qu thanked the FAO’s Crisis Management Team (CMT), saying it has been critical in keeping FAO employees around the world safe, while at the same time facilitating their ability to deliver on the Organization’s mandate under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

‘’Internal communication has been unprecedented over the past year to keep employees informed and engaged,’’ he said.

Human Resources policy guidelines were issued only a few days after the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, Qu noted, providing guidance for managers and employees on teleworking.

The Director-General thanked FAO employees around the world for their hard work and called for continued collaboration from Staff Representative Bodies as FAO dealt with the many issues posed by the pandemic in 2021.

‘’We have already seen the light at the end of a long tunnel,’’ Qu said. "Let us continue working with dedication and commitment for FAO’s noble mission of fighting hunger, malnutrition and poverty.’’

The impact of COVID-19 on staff members, recruitment and career development were among the issues being considered by the annual assembly which was attended by more than 100 staff representatives from FAO offices around the world. 

The Director-General was welcomed at the Assembly by the President of the Association of Professionals in FAO, Jakob Skoet, who expressed the Association’s gratitude for the DG “taking time despite his very busy schedule to address the Assembly”.