Azerbaijan participated in the FAO Council session
The 179th Session of the FAO Council was held at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters on December 1-5, 2025. Azerbaijan was represented at the session by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Italy.
The session, chaired by Independent Chairperson of the Council Mina Rizk, highlighted the impact of climate, conflicts and economic instability on global food security, as noted in the FAO's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 Report.
During the session, issues such as management and working methods, FAO's strategic directions and reforms, amendments to the Work and Budget Program for 2026-2027, oversight of FAO's technical, normative and operational work, and FAO's role in the UN system and global policy processes were discussed.
In his opening remarks, Independent ICC Rizk recalled that the challenges of global hunger and food security persist, and that a significant proportion of the world’s population is affected by them, a reality that reinforces the urgency and relevance of FAO’s mandate. The Chair highlighted the Council’s responsibility to provide strategic leadership, effective oversight and timely decision-making, particularly in a period characterized by global crises and institutional reforms.
The floor was then given to Director-General Qu Dongyu, who noted that hunger and malnutrition persist in the face of multiple interrelated crises, including conflict, climate change, economic instability and inequality, and that FAO has achieved leadership in science, digitalization and artificial intelligence, including by focusing on data platforms, early warning systems and digital tools to enhance efficiency and decision-making. In closing, the Director-General called on member countries to work together in a spirit of unity and trust, and expressed confidence that FAO can make a difference for farmers, fishers, foresters and vulnerable populations worldwide.
Observations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is an observer to the Council, regarding several issues on the agenda were also shared.
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