FAO/ DIRECTOR-GENERAL ELECTION

QU Dongyu was today re-elected to a second term as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

QU Dongyu was today re-elected to a second term as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

In ballot by FAO member countries, Qu received a total of 168 out of 182 votes deposited.

SOUNDBITE ( ENGLISH) Marie-Claude Bibeau, Chairperson of FAO Conference, “The total number of votes casted are 169, we needed 85 [percent] for the majority, and there is 168 votes for, so Dr..QU is declared elected.”

Nominated by China, Qu was the only candidate to FAO’s top position in today’s election. His new term will run from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2027.

The election took place on the second day of the FAO Conference (1-7 July).

QU said he “will be devoting to modernize the Organization”in his acceptance speech.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, “Now with my new manifesto I will be devoting to modernize the Organization from headquarters to the country branches. Together we will be more deliverable, more accountable and more impactful under FAO Basic Text, constitution rules and of course FAO’s mandate.”

Since being elected FAO Director-General for the first time in 2019, Qu has championed a wide range of reforms and initiatives to overhaul the Organization’s business model, improving efficiency and implementing best practices that support programme and administrative effectiveness.

FAO’s transparency, visibility and reputation has continued to increase over the last four years, amid major 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.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, “Let us walk the talk to take actions on FAO’s strategies and the Four Betters. Let us united to build better world with more people centred, more healthy planet and more prosperity. You can count on me and my teams. I will countdown the clock to run for my commitments.”

ENDS 

More footage can be found here: http://tv.fao.org.

SHOTLIST

1.     Close up of sign reading in English “FAO CONFERENCE”

2.     Various of delegation arriving at FAO

3.     Wide delegation entering the Plenary Hall

4.     Wide of Plenary Hall

5.     SOUNDBITE ( ENGLISH) Marie-Claude Bibeau, Chairperson of FAO Conference, “The total number of votes casted are 169, we needed 85 [percent] for the majority, and there is 168 votes for, so Dr.QU is declared elected.”

6.     Wide of QU Dongyu reacting to the announcement

7.     Wide of QU Dongyu walking on stage

8.     Wide delegation from member countries applauding

9.     SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, “Now with my new manifesto I will be devoting to modernize the Organization from headquarters to the country branches. Together we will be more deliverable, more accountable and more impactful under FAO Basic Text, constitution rules and of course FAO’s mandate.”

10.  Cutaway to delegations

11.  Close of screen of QU Dongyu speaking

12.  SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, “Let us walk the talk to take actions on FAO’s strategies and the Four Betters. Let us united to build better world with more people centred, more healthy planet and more prosperity. You can count on me and my teams. I will countdown the clock to run for my commitments.”

13.  Cutaway to delegations

14.   Various of plenary hall

ENDS