34th Session of the Committee on Fisheries - Special Event: 25th Anniversary of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

34^th Session of the Committee on Fisheries

Special Event
 25^th Anniversary of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

Opening remarks

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

Monday, 1 February 2021

As delivered

 

Thank you Yasmina,

Dear Colleagues, Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen,

And also, I welcome brother, Peter Thomson. I saw him on the screen.

1. I welcome you all to this special event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

2. I am also pleased that this event is the prelude to the endorsement of the COFI Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture by the Committee.

3. Since its adoption in 1995, the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries has been the main instrument for developing international guidelines and tools to ensure the effective conservation, management, utilization and development of living aquatic resources.

4. Much has changed over these past 25 years: Aquaculture production has increased by 200 percent, fish trade by 300 percent, and global per capita consumption of aquatic food is almost 40 percent higher than when the Code was adopted. You see, still the increase of the consumption is behind the increase of aquaculture production, and also trade. So, the big potential is, we have to increase more even distribution of fish consumption globally. I know in a lot of areas, a lot of consumers, still not pick fish food as a consistent component of the menu.

5. In 2018, fisheries and aquaculture production reached record levels, demonstrating that aquatic food products have an essential and growing role in fighting hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

6. Aquatic foods need to play an even bigger role in our national and global food and nutrition strategies.

7. We have seen significant improvements in fisheries sustainability over time, but implementing efficient fisheries management systems remains a challenge in many regions; we must re-double our commitment towards this crucial objective.

8. Experience shows that fisheries management works, and can be the most powerful tool to make fisheries more productive and resilient, as called for in Sustainable Development Goal 14.

9. At the same time, aquaculture has become the fastest growing food production sector globally.

10. We need to ensure that our aquatic food systems are resilient and meet growing demand for nutritious, safe and affordable food, while maintaining sustainable ecosystems, economies and societies that leave no one behind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

11. The Code of Conduct and the COFI Declaration are instrumental in shaping the way fisheries and aquaculture will be managed in the future, building back better.

12. Let us contribute to the sector’s transformation by Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life.

13. FAO will continue supporting your efforts in transforming the aquatic food systems.

14. Best practices and lessons learned can be shared using South-South and Triangular Cooperation mechanisms.

15. The innovative Hand-in-Hand Initiative and its state-of-the-art tools and platforms provide a powerful framework that allows for a holistic and science-based approach.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

16. 25 years ago, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries introduced a new era of collaboration and partnerships for more responsible fisheries.

17. The Declaration in front of us today will reinforce the collective drive towards modern fisheries and aquaculture as part of the inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for 2030 agenda.

18. We appreciate the support received from all delegations in developing this Declaration and look forward to translating its content into concrete action together.

19. Let us join our efforts to build back better and greener – for a world free of hunger, healthy life with healthy diets! Fish should be always on the table, as I encourage all of you – eat more fish, help the fish industry, have the fish-focus.

Thank you.