Bilateral meeting with H.E. Agnes Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fishing of the Republic of France

Nice, France - The FAO Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu, met with Her Excellency Agnes Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fishing of the Republic of France on the French Thalassa boat, at the margins of the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France. The Minister was accompanied by His Excellency Tanguy Stehelin, Permanent Representative of France to FAO and Mr François Houllier, Director-General of the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER).

The Minister welcomed the Director-General and congratulated him on the upcoming celebration of the 80th anniversary of FAO and proceeded to provide an overview of France’s contributions and actions within the ambit of the fisheries sector, including support for developing countries and efforts to bring more partners on board.

The Director General conveyed his appreciation to France for its regular and continued support to FAO and looked forward to France's increased contribution, particularly in support of French-speaking developing countries, in the area of ​​fisheries and aquaculture.

The pair also discussed current global challenges affecting the fisheries sector and the need to strengthen support for developing countries, especially in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The pair concluded by mutually agreeing to continue working together to further strengthen collaboration between FAO and France.