10 June 2023, Rome: The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, today met with The Honorable Stergomena Tax, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Minister thanked the Director-General for his strong commitment and vision, as well as his leadership of the Organization, including through key initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand, and the commitment to support those most vulnerable. She noted how the work of FAO in the United Republic of Tanzania is in alignment with the priorities of the Government. Specifically, the Food System Transformative Agenda, and programmes such as Agenda 10/30 – focusing on improving the productivity of crops market value.
The two exchanged views on the importance and need for holistic approaches to transform the agrifood systems and the critical role of gender equity, and empowerment of youth. They underlined that the transformation requires strong public-private partnerships and an enabling environment to ensure its success.
The Director-General also shared his views regarding the Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) and how it can contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further highlighted on this initiative can address countries’ needs for increased productivity and ensure its agrifood sector is more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. He also underlined the critical role that local government have in ensuring the success of the OCOP.
The Director-General noted that the creation of digital platforms could increase and accelerate support to smallholder farmers, and highlighted that connecting these farmers with the appropriate e-commerce tools would promote further transfers of knowledge and provide accessibility to markets.
The Minister reconfirmed that the United Republic of Tanzania will be presenting cases at the 2023 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum during the 2023 World Food Forum in October this year, with the participation of Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
The two reiterated the strong commitment to working together and supporting the transformation of the United Republic of Tanzania’s agrifood system
