FAO Press Release: FAO Director-General visits Mongolia and DPRK reaffirming FAO’s commitments to supporting sustainable agrifood systems transformation in developing countries

Press release issued by FAO on 17 July 2024

Visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

In a historic visit, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from 13 to 16 July 2024. The visit aimed to reactivate and strengthen the partnership between FAO and DPRK in addressing food security and nutrition challenges in the wake of the post COVID-19 pandemic, as well as enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agrifood systems in the country.

The Director-General commended the great achievement made by DPRK people in agriculture development, food security, and the Pyongyang city under the leadership of H.E. Kim Jong-un, and expressed his appreciation for being received by DPRK as the first UN specialized agency principal to allow visiting since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

Qu expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support of the Government of the DPRK to FAO's work in the country, and reaffirmed FAO's commitment to assist the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 2 on ending hunger, through sustainable agrifood systems transformation with the Four Betters at the center: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. He also praised the efforts of the Government and the people of DPRK in coping with the multiple challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, climate change and sanctions.

The FAO Director-General highlighted the importance of innovation, digitalization and green development in transforming the agricultural sector and enhancing its productivity, efficiency and resilience, and, more importantly, to improve animal products by focusing on increasing poultry products, aquatic foods and high feed efficiency products.

Qu emphasized FAO's readiness to provide more technical expertise and global experience in aforementioned areas, and encouraged the Government to explore new opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization, together with FAO, for the vulnerable people most in need.

During his visit, the FAO Director-General visited the Kangdong Greenhouse Complex and the Kangdong Central Institute for Vegetables, where he witnessed the sound achievements made by the DPRK people in vegetable production with modern facilities. He also visited the FAO-sponsored Pyongchon Fish Farm project.

Qu's visit was the first by a UN principal to the DPRK since 2019, and marked a milestone in the relationship between FAO and the DPRK. It demonstrated the mutual trust and respect between the two sides, and opened new avenues for engagement, cooperation and dialogue in the future.

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