Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his congratulations to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the occasion of its anniversary, while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his gratitude for the organisation’s work.

During the anniversary celebrations, FAO presented awards for the best projects in agricultural development. The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil became a laureate, according to the government’s official website. Lula da Silva commented on the event on social media.

"The world would be worse off without multilateral relations. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) proves that when countries listen to each other and work together, it is possible to change reality for the better. Brazil is proud that its social programmes have become an example for the world of justice and equal opportunities for all citizens"

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Brazilian President

In his congratulatory message, the text of which is published on the website of the Chinese government, Xi Jinping emphasised the important role of FAO in ensuring food security and improving living standards across all nations. China, one of the founding members of FAO, will continue to support the organisation’s work and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Chinese leader noted.

Ministers of agriculture from UN member states took the opportunity of FAO’s 80th anniversary to address the international community and present a shared vision for sustainable agri-food systems. Among them were the ministers of agriculture of Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Oksana Lut, Aidarbek Saparov and Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, respectively.

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