FAO Digital Media Hub - 9th Asian Regional Conference and 75th International Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage

Hide details

Explore More Collections

Conceptually similar

International Union of Forest Research Organizations World Congress 2024

Congress of the International Union of Soil Sciences

47th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Opening Session

AHRMIO Conference

The Zero Hunger, 5th World Summit of Regions on Food Security and Sovereignty

100th Anniversary of the Ocean University of China

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

10th World Water Forum Special Session: 'High-Level Ministerial Session on National Water Roadmaps towards the 2030 Agenda'

36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI36)

27th Session of the Committee on Forestry

18th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures

76th Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP)

Launch of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2024

27th Session of the Committee on Forestry - Special Event: 'Green Cities Initiative'

International Mountain Day 2024

Asian Development Bank - Food Security Forum

International Seed Testing Association Centenary Celebration

174th Session of the Council Plenary Meeting: 'Commemoration of Josué De Castro'

Global Leaders Group, Antimicrobial Resistance Meeting

Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa High Level Event

Add to collection

9th Asian Regional Conference and 75th International Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage

1 September 2024, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General on the 9th Asian Regional Conference and 75th International Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage

Language English

Duration 5m16s

Edit Version Full Mix

Video Type Video Message

Date 09/01/2024 12:00 AM

File size 570.28 MB

Unique ID UF17JC0

Production details and shotlist

Script 1. This regional conference and international congress are taking place at a time when the world faces unprecedented challenges that demand our collective action.
2. A time when we cannot continue business as usual.
3. For this reason, at FAO we are taking urgent action to support the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.
4. In 2023, over 730 million people around the world faced hunger, and more than 2.3 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure.
5. If current trends continue without an urgent transformation, it is estimated that more than 580 million people will be hungry in 2030 – the deadline we have set for ourselves for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
6. The challenges that we face are complex and interlinked mostly due to the impacts of the climate crisis, ongoing conflicts and economic downturns.
7. And they all impact on irrigation and its role in ensuring food security and sustainable urban green spaces, which is the topic you will be discussing over the next few days.
8. In this regard, I wish to share some thoughts with you.
9. ONE: we need to focus on the increasing and intensifying extreme weather events.
10. Water-related disasters are becoming more frequent and are becoming the new normal, such as droughts and floods.
11. These disasters are threatening vulnerable rural populations – the majority of whom are farmers – and they are devastating agrifood sectors, putting pressure on already limited water resources.
12. TWO: increasing urbanization.
13. Almost 7 out of 10 people are projected to live in cities by 2050 – almost double the current figure.
14. To effectively tackle hunger, we need to consider how urban living is reshaping our agrifood systems.
15. And, THREE: our finite water resources are under pressure.
16. With increasing water scarcity and competition for limited water resources, managing these resources effectively, efficiently and coherently is the only way to build resilience and ensure viable food security.
17. Ladies and Gentlemen,
18. Addressing these issues requires real change – we need to identify and implement innovative solutions and adopt best practices in irrigation.
19. For example, sustainable irrigation development is key to increasing and stabilizing farm efficiency and profitability.
20. It is critical to produce more with less water.
21. That is why FAO, in collaboration with partners such as the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage, is supporting countries in Mapping Irrigation Needs and Potentials.
22. This assessment is carried out at national level to identify areas where irrigation development is needed most.
23. FAO is also assisting countries to enhance inter-sectoral coordination and integrated planning for sustainable water resources management, which is part of the “National Water Roadmap towards the 2030 Agenda”.
24. And through the FAO Green Cities Initiative, we are working together with partners and Members to promote sustainable urban green spaces for healthier citizens and healthier cities.
25. This initiative explores ways for cities to better adapt to impacts like heat waves, and advances water-saving innovations and sustainable peri-urban agrifood system practices.
26. We need to continue investing in context-specific irrigation solutions and best practices that are environmentally appropriate, and bring tangible benefits to communities.
27. Partnerships are key to achieving these objectives, and we have achieved a lot together over the past 70 years.
28. Our strong collaboration has resulted in invaluable resources, such as jointly developed methodologies, publications and knowledge exchange.
29. But we need to continue to do more and better and I look forward to continuing strengthening our partnership to promote sustainable irrigation solutions to support the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life - leaving no one behind.
30. Thank you.

Alternative Versions and Supporting Documents

Find different versions and transcription documents to download