Chinese New Year Reception Speech

Dear Esteemed Guests,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

新年快乐，万事如意！A very happy Chinese Lunar New Year to all of you, and welcome to this celebration of renewal, hope, and family.

We just heard a video message from UNSG Antonio Guterres "愿骏马精神给你们带来健康、幸福和繁荣。May the spirit of the horse bring you health, happiness and prosperity. 谨此感谢中国和中国人民对多边主义和全球团结事业的大力支持。I extend my gratitude to China and the Chinese people for championing the cause of multilateralism and global solidarity.谢谢！".

2025年12月18号我们共同庆祝非凡的一年成就，共同迎接圣诞和西方新年。Today, we gather not only to honour a rich cultural tradition, but to draw inspiration from its symbolism.

As we welcome中国农历火马年 the Year of the fire Horse, we find in its spirit a powerful message of our shared mission here at FAO.

The horse, across cultures and history, embodies qualities that speak directly to our time, and to our task.

First, the Horse symbolizes Strength, Resilience, and Stamina. 

This noble animal can carry great burdens over long distances, through challenging landscapes – a metaphor that reflects our global community today.

We are all facing heavy burdens due to ongoing strains of conflicts, the climate crisis, economic instability, and persistent hunger, but just like the steadfast horse, we must call upon our collective resilience.

We must have the stamina to stay on our path, to continue tilling the difficult fields by supporting enabling policies, strengthening science and innovation and increasing impactful action on the ground – no matter how difficult or steep the land may be.

Our goal for a world free from hunger and malnutrition demands nothing less.

Second, the Horse represents Partnership and Trust. 

For millennia, humanity’s progress has been tied to its partnership with the horse, which has required mutual understanding, a shared direction, and unwavering trust.

Similarly, our mandate at FAO cannot be achieved by any one country or organization alone. It is built on the very partnership, and friendship, you all embody here today.

In this Year of the Horse, let us recommit to strengthening these bonds.

Let us ensure that our partnership gallops swiftly and in unison towards the transformation of our agrifood systems, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Third, the Horse signifies Momentum and Forward Motion. 

A horse in full gallop is the image of powerful, accelerated progress.

After years of setbacks and mounting challenges, we must now start galloping to turn challenges into opportunities.

We must accelerate our pace.

In the light of difficulties, the spirit of the Horse does not see a hurdle and halt - it gathers strength and jumps!

We must do the same; together, we must take a leap forward.

We must accelerate and increase investments in sustainable agrifood systems.

We must accelerate the adoption of climate-resilient agriculture.

We must accelerate our support for small-holder farmers, who are the backbone of our food security.

We must move faster to turn commitments into actions, and actions into results.

My dear friends,

Let the Year of the Horse be our year of accelerated action, as we charge forward with renewed determination.

Let us be motivated by the horse’s spirit, and be relentless in our drive forward.工作学习不要马马虎虎，马不停蹄，快马加鞭，以龙马精神把FAO建成兵强马壮万马奔腾的新粮农！

Together, we can plow the fields of difficulty and reap the harvest of peace, prosperity, and food security for all.

I wish you and your families a joyful, prosperous, and healthy Year of the Horse.一马平川，马到成功！

谨此感谢中国和中国人民对多边主义和全球粮农事业的大力支持。I extend my gratitude to China and the Chinese people for championing the cause of multilateralism and global agri-foodsystems and food security.

Thank you very much, 多谢！Have a good time!