166th Session of the Council CLOSING REMARKS
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
01/05/2021
166th Session of the Council
CLOSING REMARKS
FAO Director General, Dr. QU Dongyu
As delivered
1 May 2021
Thank you, Independent Chairperson of the Council,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
- We are at the closing of a very important Council Session after an intensive week.
- A Session that took place, as the world continues to cope with the pandemic and adapts to the digital world as the new normal.
- A Session that prepares for the first virtual FAO Conference in history.
- The Digital FAO has been accelerating evolution and preventing involution!
- It comes as no surprise, that the working hours were long and the debates passionate.
- My appreciation goes to all delegations for their contributions and their active and constructive engagement throughout this week.
- And of course, my high respect and appreciation go to my brother, the esteemed Chairperson,
Mr Mehboob Khalid in Chinese Mu Kaili. - This is a combination of Mu Guiying, Mu is a well-known family name – Mu Guiying was a legend, from a royal family of heroes; Kai Ming, which means open minded with inclusiveness and Li Mao, which signifies courteous.
- He started his long career with FAO in 1969 and continued contributing and sharing his experiences for FAO’s mandate during the past 52 years.
- Over the past week, we could all witness, once again, his wise and steady way of guiding the Council.
- This is true dedication and a big moral sentiment! Let us hail the highest salute to Mr Mu Kaili from all corners of world!
- The Council’s support for the Strategic Framework, the Medium-Term Plan and the Program of Work and Budget is a very positive sign.
- It confirmed that the unprecedented, broad and inclusive consultation process that went into the preparation of these documents was recognized and appreciated.
- You welcomed the progress made in the Hand in Hand Initiative.
- Here again, we are working very hard to produce concrete results on the ground, despite the pandemic and its impacts.
- The Council’s positive views on FAO’s COVID Response and Recovery Program are also well noted and appreciated.
- We are also encouraged by the Council’s positive comments and support for our continued efforts of renewal, reform and transformation.
- This also includes our decision to give priority to multilingualism and our proposal for a new set of FAO Awards.
- And you have reached agreement on different voting options for the Conference to choose from.
- This was understandable and worth the big debate leading to consensus.
- Since 2020, FAO has been spearheading innovation that others are following and we will continue to do so.
- I want to close, by thanking all FAO employees, who worked diligently and tirelessly in preparing this Council and in servicing it.
- And of course, wishing you, dear Delegates, continued health! Stay safe for our Joint Mission that is not yet accomplished!
- Thank you and have a nice Labor Day!