50th Anniversary of the NHSMUN Conference Keynote Presentation

• Thank you, Ana, for the introduction.  

• Good evening, everyone! 
• It is my pleasure to speak to you all, leaders of today and tomorrow, at the 50th anniversary of the National High School Model United Nations Conference.  
• Every year, it is more than encouraging to see an impressive attendance of young, diverse leaders at Model UN conferences all over the world, eager to use their voices to help make the world a better place for all.  
• With progress and growth come unprecedented challenges. In this increasingly globalized world, multilateralism is needed more than ever, and the role of the United Nations system is more important than ever.  
• My career at the UN began with FAO. My two-decades-long experience serving in both developed countries and Least Developed Countries is of great value. It has shown me the economic and development gaps between them and the potential for growth of developing countries. 
• Being from China myself, the largest developing country in the world that was able to lift 800 million people out of poverty in just 4 decades since the economic reform in 1978, I see an opportunity for both developed and developing countries. Developed countries can repurpose their knowledge and lessons learnt to support the most vulnerable countries, and developing countries can apply those experiences to make more effective efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 
• As you all know, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is at the top of the UN’s agenda, and being able to serve this agenda is an honor.  
• FAO is a specialized UN agency leading international efforts to eradicate hunger and all forms of malnutrition, with focus given to Goal 1 (no poverty), Goal 2 (zero hunger), Goal 10 (reduced inequalities), and others. With decentralized offices all over the world, FAO is one of the largest specialized agencies. Our workforce is mostly field based, which allows us to focus efforts locally and in the most critical regions. 
• FAO is first and foremost a technical and knowledge organization that leads the UN family’s work on food security, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, rural development and sustainable management of natural resources. 
• To better understand how FAO was founded and how it affects all our lives, we have a video to share with you, let’s watch! 

[VIDEO on FAO (3 min)] 

• Putting knowledge into action. FAO’s knowledge hub includes extensive data and statistics on various food and agriculture matters, the flagship reports on food security and nutrition, as well as resources and knowledge from experts in agriculture, farming, fishing, agroforestry, climate, and food loss and waste, just to name a few. We work in international standard-setting in the food and agriculture sectors to ensure food quality and safety. We advance the sustainable use of land, soil, water, and other resources, and we work with governments and policymakers to improve food productivity and sustainability.  
• FAO also utilizes its flagship initiatives, including the Hand-In-Hand Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product, “1000 Digital Villages” and the Green Cities Initiative to accelerate the achievement of SDGs. 
• We contribute to every step within the agrifood system and aim to support the 2030 Agenda - as laid out in our Strategic Framework 2022-2031 - through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
• In light of the current climate crisis and ongoing conflicts, food security is a deeply relevant topic. FAO has been offering its expertise in these urgent and complex issues, emphasizing the crucial need for coordinated action among entities and governments, bearing in mind that only agriculture can provide sustainable and long-term solutions for food security. 
• Global issues require global solutions. However, our current international system is not perfect, and there are challenges that must be addressed:
  • First, access to international affairs is not equitable for developed countries and developing countries. It is imperative that the voices of developing countries are heard.
  • Second, efforts to achieve the SDGs are largely fragmented. We need coherent, concerted and coordinated action.
  • Third, geopolitical tensions are undermining our progress. Solidarity and partnership are key to achieving Agenda 2030. 

•  The world needs to work together to address these challenges.  
• We rely on younger generations for their fresh and innovative ideas in a world that is rapidly changing, and we are committed to bringing young voices like yours to the table, because we need you.
• At FAO, the annual World Food Forum is a movement and platform by youth, for youth, to transform agrifood systems and to achieve a better food future for all. Every year, we seek passionate youth representatives and leaders to answer the call to action. You can get involved and learn more on the World Food Forum website.
• If you are interested in working for the UN in the future, a great place to start is with an internship. At FAO, we offer paid internship opportunities where you can gain hands-on experiences. There are often openings all over the world, so don’t miss out on these opportunities.
• In my view, to work at the UN, you need to work on three things:
  • A strong motivation to serve. Motivation is the impetus to action. However, your will to persevere when times are difficult will be even more important.   
  • Constant capacity building. To become a valued global citizen, you must invest in education and develop skills. As the proverb goes, ‘fortune favors the prepared’. 
  • Being resilient. Become familiar with the international arena and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
• Model UN conferences have been a platform for young minds to strengthen skills that are not only vital in international relations, but also essential for progress in humanity. This conference is an invaluable opportunity to learn, if you are open.
• As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this conference, remember that we are counting on you to keep fighting, when others have given up on hope. Faced with new challenges every year, there is no time to relax until we’ve reached peace and justice for all, food security for all, and slowed the impacts of climate change, while leaving no one behind. 
• We must all work together to achieve these goals.
• I wish you every success.
• Thank you.