14 September 2024, Brazil: On the margin of his participation in the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Cuiaba, Brazil, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met with State Secretary of Agriculture and Food of Norway, H.E. Wenche Westberg, to discuss ongoing collaboration and explore new avenues of cooperation between FAO and Norway.
The Director-General expressed his appreciation for Norway’s consistent support to FAO, particularly in key areas such as research and development, innovation, and digitalization. He recognized Norway’s key role in global humanitarian work and sustainable agriculture, underscoring the importance of Norway’s contributions to global initiatives such as the Alliance against Poverty and Hunger, for which FAO serves as the Secretariat.
The Director-General also appreciated Norway for its contribution as the first donor to the global initiative on Fall Armyworms led by FAO. The Director-General warmly invited Norway to take a more active role in FAO’s global benchmarking initiatives such as the Hand in Hand Initiative, One Country One Priority Product, and the World Food Forum, among others.
The discussion placed a significant emphasis on family farming, particularly in Norway where all farmers fall under this category. State Secretary Westberg referred to the vital role of young farmers in Norway’s agricultural framework, and both parties agreed on the need to promote policies that support the well-being and sustainability of family farming globally.
The Director-General acknowledged the challenges faced by family farmers and stressed how FAO’s flagship initiatives can provide key support to promoting equitable solutions that address gender and income gaps, for example, while also supporting rural-urban linkages.
The meeting concluded with both sides reiterating their commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas such as family farming, digital agriculture, youth empowerment, and global food security, and agreed that Norway’s continued involvement in FAO’s initiatives, both as a supporter and a partner, would remain vital in addressing global agricultural challenges.
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