Bilateral meeting with H.E. Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Kingdom of Spain

Rome – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today met H.E. Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Kingdom of Spain at FAO Headquarters in advance of the 44th Session of the FAO Ministerial Conference.

The Director-General commended the Minister for his longstanding leadership and commitment to multilateralism and expressed appreciation for Spain’s continued support to FAO’s mandate. The two leaders exchanged views on pressing global challenges, including increasingly erratic weather patterns that are undermining agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. 

Minister Planas underlined the importance of ensuring adequate and sustainable funding for FAO, particularly in light of the Organization’s growing role in addressing complex global agrifood systems challenges. The Director-General reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing FAO’s efficiency and effectiveness.

The meeting also highlighted FAO’s leadership in fisheries management as was evident during the recent UN Ocean’s Conference. Minister Planas praised FAO’s work on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and emphasized Spain’s efforts to ensure full traceability of fish products. The Director-General also referred to FAO’s work providing technical support for aquaculture.

The Director-General and the Minister discussed the importance of FAO’s normative work, including the Food Price Index and the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), which Minister Planas described as indispensable tools for global food market transparency and stability. They also acknowledged the critical role of FAO’s work on genetic resources in fisheries and aquaculture in ensuring long-term food security.

Minister Planas reflected on his active role in the FAO Advisory Council and reiterated Spain’s support for a strong and impactful FAO. The Director-General highlighted the World Food Forum, which takes place in FAO every October, as a key platform for fostering dialogue and innovation across regions and including youth, scientists and investors.

The meeting concluded with a reflection on FAO’s 80th anniversary in October and a shared commitment to advancing the Organization’s mission of achieving food security for all including its importance as a foundation for peace.