JOINT MEETING OF THE PROGRAMME AND FINANCE COMMITTEES Closing Remarks

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

You have come to the end of an important session of the Joint Meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees. Important, because more than ever before we stand at the crossroad of ever-increasing global demands for FAO.

Never before has it been more important to do more with less, as you have always suggested.

The Programme Committee has been pushing to do more and more, and at the same time the Finance Committee has been trying to keep the budget as less as possible. Would you have informal or formal dialogue to reach consensus first.

The thoughtful and rule- based discussions over the past days and your engagement reflects the seriousness of the moment - we are in one of great uncertainty in the coming years.

The Programme of Work and Budget 2026-27 provides a roadmap for operationalizing our mandate guided by the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31. It allows us to strike a careful balance - between delivery on our core mandate, the need to refocus, the reality of prioritization, and, at times, making skillful decisions.

In the context of increasing global challenges, as ONE FAO, we need to continue strengthening FAO's support to Members for agrifood systems transformation to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, and especially for more agile support to the Decentralized Offices because this is where FAO’s technical expertise and global network is the most impactful.

We need to further strengthen private sector engagement to maintain and expand our impact through a well-developed strategy and platform over the coming years. We cannot do it alone. We need to work hand in hand with all partners through coherent and collective contribution. We need an ambitious yet actionable framework to tackle current and emerging challenges.

This week, you were also presented with an update on the World Food Forum, which coincides with FAO’s 80th Anniversary in October this year. It provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the critical role that FAO has played over the past eight decades, while designing the way forward for strengthened action in support of realizing our original aspiration.

I encourage each of us to renew our commitment and devote to building a new FAO together.

I was especially pleased to hear your recognition of the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum as an important space for engaging agrifood investors and for mobilizing much needed resources to accelerate the transformation of global agrifood systems, empower women and youth, and for rural development.

I also welcomed Members’ appreciation and encouragement on our efforts to adopt a strategic, systems-oriented approach, through which the Organization can work to ensure food security and healthy foods under the overarching guidance of the Four Betters - better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. 

FAO is committed to promoting rules-based, transparent and shared agricultural trade that supports the resilience and sustainability of global agrifood systems, to ensure that all farmers benefit from local markets and beyond.

FAO, together with our key multiple partners, will also continue to support Members in translating global climate commitments into plans and actions for resilient agrifood systems.

Dear Colleagues,

As I stated on Monday morning, the path ahead is challenging, but also provides us with many opportunities, for both innovation and reform. Converting these challenges into opportunities requires us to continue working together with even stronger commitment and solidarity.

I am confident that we are all on the same page when we affirm that our ultimate target is to help eight billion people to enjoy a peaceful, prosperous, healthy and happy life.

To do this, we must assess risk, keep a level head, use resources strategically, efficiently and effectively, and ensure that FAO remains a stronger and reliable partner.

Let me be clear: our commitment to FAO’s mandate is unwavering.

We will continue to focus on the areas where FAO’s expertise and impact are stronger, and we will continue to strive for FAO with the 4Es (Efficient, Effective, Extraordinary and Excellent), plus the 4Rs (Recovery, Rebuilding, Reform and Renaissance).

I am proud of what FAO has achieved and transformed, with new mechanism and new mindsets. FAO Employees have substantially upgraded with more innovation and dynamics.

Dear Colleagues,

We will approach the coming biennium with renewed impetus and a new business model.

FAO will be more agile, more responsible, more fit-for-purpose and more down-to-the earth to support Members with an innovative approach and coherent actions.

I wish to thank all of you for your continued friendly engagement, efficient debates and concrete support.

Together, we can build a dynamic FAO for a better world.

Thank you.