Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with H.E. Xiomara Castro, President of the Republic of Honduras

New York – Director-General QU Dongyu met today with H.E. Xiomara Castro, President of the Republic of Honduras on the sidelines of the 77^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).   The President was joined at the meeting by H.E. Eduardo Enrique Reina García, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Laura Suazo, Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock. 

The Director-General congratulated the President on her election, and affirmed that FAO stands ready to support the Republic of Honduras in its efforts to make agrifood systems MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

For her part the President noted that she is undertaking efforts to reinvigorate Honduras’ focus on agriculture and farming, protect the environment, and design agriculture policies that generate opportunities for farmers and youth. The President also noted this is the first time the Republic of Honduras has a woman leading the country, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

The Director-General agreed with the President on the importance of rural based governance, and stressed that agrifood systems transformation can be stimulated by enabling policies, investments and capacity-building, and by empowering women and youth.

He also noted that FAO’s support to Members is encapsulated in the Organization’s policy guidance and consultation, in its Strategic Framework 2022-31 and in the three new thematic FAO strategies recently endorsed by Members on Climate Change, on Science and Innovation, and on Private Sector Engagement.

The Director-General also expressed his hope that the President could visit FAO and participate in a week of events in Rome during the week of 17-21 October, including the World Food Forum (WFF), the Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

The President confirmed that she would be pleased to join WFF’s events and the Investment Forum - which is the crux of the Initiative's partnership-building effort - as it will provide a platform for national authorities to present impact investment opportunities to corporations, multilateral development banks and donors, with a focus on growth potential of the agriculture sector and national business opportunities.