His new term will begin from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2027
QU Dongyu re-elected to a second term as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
In the ballot by FAO member countries, Qu received 168 out of 182 votes deposited.
Nominated by China, Qu was the only candidate for FAO’s top position in the election. His new term will begin from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2027.
The election took place on the second day of the FAO Conference (1-7 July).
Since being elected FAO Director-General for the first time in 2019, Qu has championed many reforms and initiatives to overhaul the Organisation’s business model, improving efficiency and implementing best practices that support programme and administrative effectiveness.
FAO’s transparency, visibility and reputation have continued to increase over the last four years amid significant global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other protracted conflicts, economic downturns, and the intensifying climate crisis.
Qu has strongly advocated for the transformation of agrifood systems to make them more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, with the ultimate goal of helping Members achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO has focused on boosting science and innovation and launched some important strategic initiatives. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative, for example, supports the implementation of nationally led, ambitious programmes to accelerate agrifood systems transformations. It uses advanced geospatial modelling and analytics and a robust partnership building to raise incomes, improve the nutritional status and well-being of poor and vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
