Monaco’s participation in the 174th session of the FAO Council

174ème session du Conseil de la FAO ©DR

From 4 to 8 December, the Principality took part as an observer in the 174th session of the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held in Rome.

Reflecting the discussions taking place at the same time in Dubai at COP 28, Mr QU Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, stated that the transformation of food production systems was central to the solutions to help fight climate change.

At this session, the Member States discussed the critical issues arising from the many global crises and conflicts and also established the budget priorities for the period of 2024-2025. With a purposefully innovative approach, the FAO Council approved the creation of an ‘Office for Youth and Women’, a first at the United Nations, thereby recognising the essential role they play in the sustainable transformation of food production systems.

This 174th session saw the adoption of a decision relating to the situation in Gaza, calling for an extended humanitarian truce leading to the cessation of hostilities in light of the desperate humanitarian situation in that area. Emphasising the need to urgently provide the civilian population with full, safe and unimpeded access to essential goods and services, this decision gives the FAO specific guidelines on the measures to be taken to mitigate the consequences of the conflict on the food security of the region.

Continuing from previous sessions, the Council also adopted a decision on the impact of the War in Ukraine, reiterating its call for an immediate cessation of attacks on the essential agricultural and energy infrastructure of that country.

The Principality supported several declarations made in the name of the members of the European Union on matters concerning the global situation of food and agriculture and on related problems, current and future activities, and the work of the different committees of the FAO.

For information, the FAO Council, made up of 49 rotating members, acts as an executive body of the Organization.