Events

Second Global Working Conference of FAO Representatives

Bangkok (Thailand), 10/12/2024 - 13/12/2024

©FAO

The Second Global Working Conference of FAO Representatives (2nd GWC) will allow participants to engage in a two-way meaningful dialogue with the FAO Director-General, as well as Core Leaders and Senior Management Teams, on how the Organization is working as One FAO across the globe to implement the FAO Strategic Framework and its guiding four betters, as well as solidify the Organization’s global alignment and operational efficiency amidst an evolving development landscape, particularly considering ongoing global challenges related to food security, climate change, and sustainable development.

Reflecting the commitment of FAO leadership to realize the Organization’s vision of placing countries at the centre of FAO’s work, this year’s GWC will take place at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 10 to 13 December 2024.

The 2nd GWC builds on the success of the inaugural event held in Rome in 2023, and aims to ensure that the Organization, through a stronger alignment/concerted approach between headquarters and Decentralized Offices, remains responsive and effective in supporting its Members towards accelerating the transformation of their agrifood systems and making progress towards achieving the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. Future GWCs will rotate among different Regional Offices, further emphasizing this commitment.

Highlights

The opening session on 10 December will set the tone for the content-packed three days to follow:

  • Welcome remarks by the Assistant Director-General for Asia and the Pacific, Jong-Jin Kim
  • Special remarks by H.E. Dr Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand 
  • Address by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
  • Motivational keynote address by Dr William Dar, Former Secretary of Agriculture for the Philippines and Former Director General of ICRISAT (CGIAR) 
  • Remarks by two FAO Representatives
  • Overview of the event by FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina 

In addition, Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi, Chief Scientist a.i. Beth Crawford as well as a number of headquarters Directors will also be participating, providing their expertise and insights. It is envisaged that the remaining headquarters Directors/Senior Officers will participate in virtual mode.

Agenda overview

The provisional agenda for the event spans three days of intensive sessions and discussions, including:

10 December 2024

The day will begin with welcome remarks followed by an initial session, led by RLC, that will review the progress and milestones achieved in implementing the 2024-2025 Action Plan resulting from last year’s GWC and a presentation of highlights on the FAORs Annual Working Reports. As instructed by the Director-General, the Reports will provide a comprehensive account of each FAO Representative’s work over the current year, including key achievements and challenges during the implementation of the four betters, and will be fundamental for discussions during the conference.

Break-out group discussions will cover topics such as emerging trends among the four betters, innovations and best practices, major accomplishments in agrifood systems transformation, priorities for 2025 and challenges ahead.

The first day will conclude with reflections in the plenary, the inauguration of the marketplace by the FAO Director-General, and a networking reception.

11 December 2024

The second day will kick off with a recap of Day 1, followed by a session jointly led by OSP and RAF on the transformation of FAO’s Country Office Network. Break-out group topics will include FAO technical capacity, fit-for-purpose country office structure, delivering at scale, and programme design and delivery in crisis and middle-income countries. 

The day will also feature a session led by REU on working as One FAO amid converging crises and decreasing ODA, followed by break-out discussions on FAO’s technical leadership and coordination between FAO’s Decentralized Offices and headquarters, UN collaboration, private sector partnerships, the financing landscape and the implementation of FAO Flagship initiatives.

12 December  2024

The third day will focus on operational challenges and the internal functioning of FAO with a session led by RNE. Break-out discussions will address risk management, programme delivery, business continuity planning, human resources, corporate communications, procurement, logistics, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL).

The last part of the day will feature group reflections in plenary, followed by a panel discussion on key takeaways chaired by DDG-Bechdol with insights from Core Leadership and Regional ADGs/RRs. The day will end with the closing session.

13 December 2024

The GWC will conclude with an optional field visit followed by participant departures.

The GWC will also host a Marketplace and FAO Clinics:

The Marketplace will highlight major achievements and success stories from FAO country offices, emphasizing alignment with the four betters and FAO’s flagship initiatives. The Clinics, led by relevant headquarters divisions, will tackle key questions or issues on specific topics that were not fully explored in other GWC sessions. 

Charting a path forward, together

The second GWC of FAORs promises to be a pivotal event, offering FAO country representatives and senior leadership an opportunity to assess progress toward FAO’s strategic goals and charge a path forward for continued impactful action.

Through collaborative discussions and reflections, the GWC aims to further identify and operationalize key actions for the effective and accelerated implementation of FAO’s initiatives, ensuring sustainable progress in agrifood systems transformation.

The contributions and insights from all participants will help inform the Organization’s ongoing work to help Members achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all – while leaving no one behind.

Contact

FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Maliwan Mansion
Phra Atit Road
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Phone: (+66 2) 697 4000
E-mail: [email protected]