Director-General QU Dongyu

Ceremony to designate Thomas Pesquet as FAO Goodwill Ambassador

by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

12/04/2021

Remarks by FAO Director-General Dr QU Dongyu

Ceremony to designate Thomas Pesquet as FAO Goodwill Ambassador

 

 

1. Welcome Excellencies, colleagues, and of course, European Space Agency Astronaut, Thomas Pesquet. Good morning Houston!

2. Thank you all for being here today for this very special occasion.

3. FAO’s noble mission is to end hunger and malnutrition on this planet.

4. Yet, as we speak, there are over 800 million undernourished people on the earth. The number of the hungry has been increasing over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed yet more people into hunger.

5. Business as usual is not an option. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and eliminate hunger and poverty by 2030, we must transform the way we produce, deliver and consume food.

6. FAO has a critical role in this transformation, to achieve Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and a Better Life.

7. But we cannot do this alone. Working together with our 194 Members, we need to mobilise the entire society. We need the support of every individual. We need science. And we need action, most of all.

8. Thomas Pesquet brings us a unique perspective, from the vantage point of space.

9. Thomas, when you and I met just over a year ago, you talked about looking at Planet Earth from space and seeing how beautiful and yet fragile it is.

10. We talked about Planet Earth being our spaceship, providing everything we need to grow our food and live healthy lives.   

11. We discussed the importance of using science to improve policies, engage consumers, and advocate for sustainable lifestyles.

12. Indeed, space sciences offer so much hope and potential to farmers. FAO is, for example, helping countries use satellite data to guide their policies.

13. In this regard, we have excellent on-going collaboration with the European Space Agency, and I thank its Director-General, Mr. Aschbacher.

14. Over the years, Thomas has worked in support of the FAO - to help raise awareness of the impact of climate change on agriculture; of the importance of access to nutritious foods; and of how critical it is for us to manage our natural resources wisely, reducing food loss and waste.

15. I am delighted that today you are committing to working even more closely with us, in your new capacity as an FAO Goodwill Ambassador.

16. This is a rare honour and responsibility, reserved for very exceptional individuals. You have earned it through your solid track record supporting the work of FAO.  

17. You will soon fly to the International Space Station, taking with you an FAO flag as well as a UN flag. I wish you a successful mission, and look forward to connecting with you in ISS.  

18. And of course I look forward to working closely with you for many missions to come, in space, and on the earth.

19. So welcome on-board, Thomas, and thank you!