From December 5 to 9, the Principality of Monaco took part in Rome, in its capacity observer, to the work of the 171st session of the Council of the United Nations
for Food and Agriculture (FAO).
This session was marked by the adoption of a decision on the consequences devastating effects of the war in Ukraine on global food insecurity and accessibility economics of fertilizers, food and energy for the most vulnerable countries and populations.
Recalling the beneficial contribution of the “Black Sea Cereal Initiative” allowing safe transport of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports, this decision, of which the Principality has become a co-author, provides specific guidelines for the
FAO on the measures to be taken within the framework of its mandate to deal with this crisis.
Debates related to the implementation of thematic and cross-cutting strategies on science and innovation and climate change as well as the continued collection and analysis information necessary to follow the evolution of situations having an impact on safety food - including challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, slowdowns economies and the growing impacts of the climate crisis - have also figured prominently important during this session.
Council Members further recognized the strategic importance of managing integrated water resources for food security and climate resilience, in recommending that this issue be made the theme of the general debate of the 43rd session of the FAO Conference which will take place in July 2023. This session concluded with the adoption
a report containing recommendations to guide the work of the Organization on key priorities related to food security and global agri-food systems.
The Monegasque delegation was led by H.E. Mrs. Anne EASTWOOD, Ambassador of Monaco in Italy, alongside Karine LEMON-MEDECIN and Christelle REVEL, Permanent Representatives Assistants. For the record, the FAO Council, made up of 49 rotating members, acts as executive body of the Organization.