Bilateral meeting with H.E. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand

Bangkok – The FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met with H.E. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand on the margins of the International Soil and Water Forum 2024, co-organized by FAO and the Kingdom of Thailand.  

The Minister welcomed the Director-General and expressed appreciation for the strong support of FAO to the Country. In particular, the Minister appreciated the World Soil Day event held on 5 December 2024 that was hosted for the first time outside the FAO headquarters by the Kingdom of Thailand, marking the 10th anniversary since it was established under the leadership of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Director-General conveyed his sincere appreciation to the Thai Government for the continued close collaboration with FAO and for hosting the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for 70 years. The Director-General also expressed gratitude to the Thai Government for co-hosting the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 and expressed confidence in the success of the event.

The Director-General highlighted his visit to the Baan Saladin Community village in Bangkok, noting that it embodied the Four Betters through its focus on community-led sustainable agricultural initiatives, and leaving no one behind.

The Minister expressed strong support for ongoing joint initiatives with FAO, such as reducing carbon emissions from agriculture and promoting new technologies for increased productivity and sustainability in the agrifood sector. The Pair discussed technical and financial assistance, as well as enabling policies, to support smallholder farmers in transforming agrifood systems that leave no one behind.

The Director-General emphasized the importance of working with the Thailand to share and promote the knowledge, experience and best practices of the country in achieving Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all. The Director-General highlighted the new FAO Food and Agriculture Museum and Network, to be launched on occasion of FAO’s 80th Anniversary in October 2025, that would serve as a platform for Thailand and other FAO Members to showcase their local food cultures and products for sustainable agrifood systems.