World Food Day 2021 - Lecture by Prof. Klaus Schwab - Introductory Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
15/10/2021
WORLD FOOD DAY 2021
LECTURE BY PROF. KLAUS SCHWAB
Introductory Remarks
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
15 October 2021
Rome, Italy
Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. Let me begin by extending my sincere thanks to my dear friend, the Founder and Executive Chair of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab, for having accepted the invitation to deliver a lecture at this year’s World Food Day Ceremony.
2. FAO and the World Economic Forum have been working closely to provide leadership, game changing initiatives and innovative solutions for transformation of agri-food systems during past two years, especially on preparation of UN Food System Summit.
3. Our cooperation also includes engaging more private sectors and mobilizing technology, innovation and investment.
4. FAO’s flagship Hand in Hand Initiative aims to accelerate this transformation and to improve the targeting and tailoring of innovation, increased investment and policy interventions.
5. Together, we aim to create an enabling environment for the key actors leading global efforts towards MORE efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agri-food systems.
6. Public and private sectors, civil society, academia, youth and all stakeholders must all work more and better together towards this transformation. Stakeholders will determine business consequences.
7. This is also why our close partnership is critical and vital for this process.
8. 2021 has been a crucial year in a complex period for linking global leadership to concrete actions on the ground, in support of countries in need and the most vulnerable populations.
9. We must build on this momentum and this spirit of partnership for tangible results on the ground and progress towards our collective ambitious vision to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
10. World Food Day is a unique day to call for action and to raise awareness towards eliminating global hunger and poverty.
11. Each individual and stakeholder has the responsibility to contribute towards our shared future.
12. For better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life for all, leaving no one behind.
13. Our actions are our future!
14. I now have the honour to pass the floor to Professor Schwab for the World Food Day Lecture.
15. Thank you.