Read-out of the bilateral meeting between FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, and the Minister for Agriculture of Ethiopia, Oumer Hussein

27 July 2021, Rome - The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu today met with H.E. Oumer Hussein Minister for Agriculture, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia expressed his appreciation for the support and key role FAO played in the Desert Locust control operations, and the overall close collaboration with FAO. He reiterated the key areas of cooperation moving forward noting the Hand in Hand initiative, the need for digitalization and capacity building to modernize the agriculture sector. The Minister also shared with the Director-General his vision and plans for an expanded import-export capacity, in light of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), noting the example of a new avocado variety developed as a key asset for the country in the coming years.

The Director-General congratulated and thanked the Minister for the work carried out. He proceeded to underline the need for stability and an enabling policy environment to attract investment and transform the agri-food systems noting that huge potential in the country. The Director-General also shared with the Minister his views on the need for appropriate standards to expand exportation and in turn increase the countries agriculture exportation capacities.

The two sides agreed to a continued strong collaborative cooperation with the ensuing technical support from FAO to the Government.