NFSS+2 Leadership Dialogue: Science, Technology, and Innovation Opening Remarks

UNFSS+2

Leadership Dialogue: Science, Technology, and Innovation

Opening Remarks

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

 

I am so delighted to come here to share my personal thoughts with you, as in my former life I was a Chief Scientist, and I was the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

 

My message today is: do not work in silos.

 

Unfortunately, there are not so many politicians who understand science and therefore do not give it the priority it deserves.

 

As a scientist, you are my first priority, and promoting science is my focus.

 

Firstly, we need to lead the politicians, the farmers, the businesspersons to understand science, and then create a space for them to learn science and to apply science with your concrete suggestions.

 

This is what I have been doing for the past 40 years of my life, and what I am doing now at FAO.

 

Secondly, you must not think that you are the only ones who have an understanding of the challenges you face. Politicians know these challenges well, and even better.  

 

Your role is to assist them to think systematically, scientifically, data-based. Some politicians may have an understanding of the data, but it may not be in a holistic or systematic way.

 

Especially now in the digital world, they get very fragmented information. It is our duty, as scientists, to help them to review and analyze the data on specific issues.

 

For this, we need to start by defining what “data” means. From the traditional data, to big data, from commercial data to free or public data. You need to offer a systematic interpretation of science, and then, based on this scientific data, offer solutions. Not a single solution, not a “silo” solution – but cross-cutting, holistic solutions.

 

That is why I took on the responsibility from the UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General, to establish the UNFSS Scientific Advisory Committee.

 

I told them “I want scientists to support. I know how to build solidarity among the scientists”.

 

That is why I have now merged the FSS scientific committee with the FAO High Level Panel of Experts, because we need different perspectives of science, including social science, natural science and others.

 

Let us build solidarity among the different subjects of science. And then, learn from each other and challenge each other.

 

This is how to achieve solidarity and consensus on recommendations for the politicians, based on science.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

I need you to help FAO speed up the transformation of agrifood systems.

 

When I refer to the Four Betters, you should have the scientific solutions and suggestions for achieving each of the Betters, or all four together, and present them to the relevant Ministers in your government.

 

Also, transformation of agrifood systems is not only food. I know that a lot of scientists talk about food systems: however, FAO is about the “F’ for food, but also the “A” for agriculture. This includes fibre crops, fishery and forestry, climate change, biodiversity and environment.

 

That is why I keep saying “agrifood systems”.

 

This also includes rural development, for which FAO should take a leading role.

 

Ministers for Agriculture are the window ministers for rural development, which is broader than only policies on rural women, rural youth and social protection.

 

You need to have a good understanding of the political structure in your country so that you can provide the best support to your politicians and legal people, as well as all relevant partners, academia and civil society – ensuring that everyone is working together.

 

The FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative is leading the change in the way we think, and our business model, based on science and data, and on Big Data.

 

To achieve this, we need a holistic and comprehensive way of thinking and design. You must jump out of your silos, think out of your box! Challenge yourselves and innovate yourselves! Then you can influence others to build consensus, and be on the same page.

 

Thinking together, learning together, working together and contributing together!

 

Thank you.