Rome – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, QU Dongyu, today closed the 44th Session of the FAO Conference (28 June – 4 July) by emphasizing the urgent need for innovation and creativity, as FAO Members agreed by consensus on the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 2026-2027.

“The path forward may seem daunting,” Qu said in his closing remarks. The immense, complex and deeply interconnected challenges faced by global agrifood systems and the pledge to eradicate hunger “do not diminish the urgency of our mission – they amplify it. The need for FAO has never been greater,” he added.

The Director-General thanked Members for reaching a unanimous agreement on the budget and urged them to increase their voluntary contributions through partnership funds, in-kind contributions, shared cost arrangements, expertise and other mechanisms.

“Let us not be defined by scarcity, but by our ingenuity, solidarity, and collective will,” he said. “This is your Organization. You need to champion food availability, food accessibility, food affordability, food diversity and agrifood systems transformation as the foundation for stability and prosperity,” he added.

FAO Members also elected a new Independent Chairperson of the Council, FAO’s other key governance body, choosing Mina Rizk from Egypt, who chaired the Finance Committee of the Organization for the past two years.

Way forward

Qu outlined four fundamental truths derived from the week’s discussions that would guide the way forward:

-- Resilience is built, not given: He stressed that climate-adapted agriculture, sustainable fisheries, and empowered smallholders are essential investments in resilience. "These are the foundations upon which food security and stable societies are built, even in turbulent times," he remarked, emphasizing that adaptation was the most important solution for resilience.

-- Innovation as a lever: Emphasizing the power of innovation as the most powerful multiplier to amplify impact, Qu stated that when resources are scarce, innovative solutions become essential. He urged participants to embrace digital tools, scientific advancements, and transformative business models, making them more accessible and affordable.

-- Partnerships are essential: Qu highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating that no single entity can tackle these complex challenges alone. He called for a strengthening of multilateralism and impactful alliances across sectors, urging all stakeholders to work together for a common purpose.

--Targeted action yields results: He encouraged focused, evidence-based interventions that prioritize the most vulnerable populations, reiterating his belief that even small, targeted efforts can lead to significant impacts.

The Director-General pointed to the Green Climate Fund’s largest-ever approval of FAO projects this week as testimony to the Organization’s effective technical collaboration. Qu also emphasized the importance that countries receiving project funding ensure the success of implementation.

“Let us be positive and optimistic in facing profound challenges and choosing action over inaction, collaboration over isolation, and innovation over inertia,” the Director-General said.

"History will remember the 44th FAO Ministerial Conference by your determination to uphold the original aspirations of this noble Organization," he declared, encouraging all to work hand in hand towards the Four Betters – better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Throughout of the Conference, delegations participated in a series of side events including the presentation of new evidence on

and the launch of

, among other subjects.