UNGA 2025 High-Level Side Event Social Business, Youth and Technology Statement

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I came here to learn from Professor Yunus, and I also want to share a few thoughts with you. 

First: in the world we have two societies, no matter whether you are a big country like the USA or a small island like East Timor, there is a rural society and an urban society. When we refer to social business, we have to look at the realities of all society.

Second: once we scientists start to work together with politicians, we need to aspire to do something better. When I was Vice Governor in a Chinese Muslim province in China, we used science and technology as a tool to eradicate poverty. The business model was “small investment, big impact”, and the use of technology was key.

Social business means changing the way of thinking.

Science is not only something on paper, but it also tells us, for example, that a high pH value in the water of inland lakes is good for aquaculture.

Effective policy needs inclusive partnerships working together.

I became the Director-General of FAO because I wanted to fix problems, and to achieve this I opened up to scientists, Nobel laureates and the private sector. I try to get all partners to work together.

In capitals, everyone has their own ideas. I established the World Food Forum (WFF) to bring these ideas and partners to FAO.

FAO is an attractive platform for vulnerable Members, and through investment plans and inclusive platforms we are proving the support needed to those populations most in need.

Thirdly: Big Data. People are losing imagination; they have become too pragmatic and too materialistic. People sitting in a church are calm and able to do some deep thinking, which allows space for imagination. At the UN, people are rushing around too much without time for deep thinking. 

As the son of a smallholder farmer who became FAO Director-General, it is my nature to speak on behalf of smallholder farmers, so that one day when I return to my village, I will have no regrets.

Remember, FAO is your Organization. It is Member-owned and Member-led. I am at your disposal.

Thank you.