FAO launches 5-day event aimed at reforms to increase efficiency and effectiveness

Qu Dongyu, who took office on 1 August 2019 as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has spent his life working on how to make sure the world is fed. (Photo courtesy of FAO)

The director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday opened the 164th session of the FAO Council with the presentation of a range of documents aiming to reform the agency.

Qu Dongyu, who was elected as FAO's top official last year, used his opening remarks for the "virtual" five-day initiative to outline a series of measures he said would make FAO more efficient and more effective.

"The adjustments I am presenting today are guided by the same vision: creating an inclusive and agile FAO that serves its members to achieve the 'four betters,'" Qu said. "Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life by further transparent, open, innovative, responsible, and effective reform."

Among Qu's main proposals was a plan to reform FAO's organizational structure, making cross-sectoral collaboration and better and faster responses to needs.

Other proposals include the creation of a new Office of Sustainable Development Goals, to help implement the United Nations 2030 anti-poverty, anti-hunger, and ecology goals; a new Division on Food Systems and Food Safety, designed to provide leadership in the development of more sustainable food systems; and an independent Ombudsperson's Office to promote more transparent oversight.

Qu also said he wants to strengthen FAO country and regional offices, which he called "the backbone of FAO's delivery."

The FAO Council is the executive branch for FAO's governance and meets at least twice a year. The last meeting of the FAO Council took place in December.

Qu had been China's vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs since 2015 before taking the current role as FAO chief last August.