On August 8, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, a meeting between the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the FAO and other UN Agencies in Rome V.L.Vasilyev and the newly appointed FAO Director General Qu Dongyu took place.

Congratulations from the heads of Russian ministries and departments were conveyed to the FAO Director General. He was also invited to take part in the 21st Russian Agricultural Exhibition Golden Autumn 2019 (October 9-12, Moscow).

The focus of the discussion was on Russian priorities for cooperation with the Program. Qu Dongyu praised the activities of the Russian Federation in the field of promoting the rational use of soil resources, combating the spread of antimicrobial resistance, developing sustainable nutrition systems. He also paid tribute to our country's expert potential in developing international phytosanitary and food standards.

The Director General emphasized the value of the financial component of cooperation between Russia and the FAO and called for building up constructive interaction, primarily in achieving the goals of Zero Hunger and eradicating malnutrition.

The parties agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between Russia and the FAO, including staff issues and the use of the Russian language in the Organization.