Bilateral meeting with H.E. Sari Essayah, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Finland

Rome – The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met today with H.E. Sari Essayah, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Finland, on the margins of FAO’s 80th Anniversary World Food Day celebrations and the 2025 World Food Forum at FAO headquarters.

The Director-General expressed appreciation for Finland’s steadfast support for multilateralism and its active engagement in FAO’s work. The Director-General also welcomed Finland’s contributions to innovation and sustainability.

Minister Essayah thanked the Director-General for the technical collaboration between FAO and Finland, commended FAO on its work over the decades and referred to the high level of participation at the 80th Anniversary event as a measure of how well the Organization is appreciated and needed.

Minister Essayah further highlighted Finland’s commitment to science and innovation in agrifood systems, particularly in the context of climate change. She emphasized the role of research and technology in driving sustainable transformation.

The pair committed to closer collaboration with a strong focus on the area of bioeconomy as a key solution to global challenges, benefiting both sustainability and local communities.