Monaco participates in 172nd session of FAO Council

©DR

 The Principality of Monaco participated, as an observer, in the work of the 172^nd session of the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), held in Rome from 24 to 28 April.

The Monegasque delegation comprised H.E. Ms Anne Eastwood, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Principality to the international organisations based in Rome, and diplomats from the Embassy.

The session was particularly marked by discussions in support of a report by the FAO Secretariat on global food security challenges and their main drivers, which are associated with current wars and conflicts, economic shocks and climate change. The impact of the war in Ukraine on grain production and global food supplies was once again the focus of debate. Like many other countries, Monaco aligned itself with the European Union’s declarations, emphasising the positive contribution of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and calling for it to continue, unimpeded and without restrictions, and reiterating the commitment of states to working with the FAO and its partners to address this crisis. The discussions concluded with the adoption, by vote, of two decisions to this effect, proposed by the United States.

The Council also issued recommendations on the organisation’s work programme and draft budget for 2024–2025. These will be discussed at the 43rd Session of the FAO Conference in July.

Finally, Mr Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, gave his address as a candidate for a second term in the post. After giving an overview of the actions undertaken over the last four years, he outlined his commitments on making the FAO a decisive player in achieving the 2030 Agenda goals.