Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Summit
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
22/09/2021
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders’ Summit
Video Message
by
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
22 September 2021
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Small Island States face numerous challenges due to the impacts of the climate crisis, such as frequent natural disasters, land degradation and overexploitation of marine resources.
2. Together with vulnerability to external economic shocks,
3. High dependency on food imports,
4. And as a result, a high burden of all forms of malnutrition.
5. These challenges have been further worsened by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
6. For this reason Small Island States are an important focus of FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031,
7. Which aims to support Members to transform towards MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems,
8. For better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
9. FAO is proud of its consolidated partnership with SIDS.
10. For this reason, two years ago I established a dedicated Office of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs.
11. FAO has also prioritized its commitment to SIDS through a number of programs such as:
12. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative – aimed at accelerating agri-food systems transformation and sustainable rural development to eradicate poverty (SDG1) and end all forms of malnutrition (SDG2).
13. And the 1000 Digital Villages Initiatives –to transform villages into digital hubs to support agri-food systems transformation to achieve the SDGs.
14. Furthermore, just a few weeks ago, FAO convened the first-ever SIDS Solutions Forum.
15. A biennial event to foster the exchange of ideas, methodologies and technologies among SIDS, as well as with other countries and partners.
16. The High-Level Forum focused on how increased innovation and digitalization can help to achieve the SDGs and the SAMOA Pathway priorities.
Dear Colleagues,
17. SIDS may be small, but they have a powerful voice through alliances such as this one.
18. FAO stands ready to help amplify these voices, and work Hand-in-Hand with Small Island States and other development partners to transform agri-food systems to ensure that no one is left behind.
19. Thank you.