Speech by UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva at the Signing Ceremony of FAO-Azersun Memorandum of Understanding

Dear partners and friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here with you today for the signing of this important Memorandum of Understanding between Azersun and the Food and Agriculture Organization. This memorandum marks the beginning of a new strategic partnership.

We all know the vital role played by food and agriculture in any country’s sustainable development. In Azerbaijan, this sector is the third largest in the economy, after oil and construction.

Millions of people in this country depend directly on agriculture, especially in rural areas. And every one of us, of course, depends at least indirectly on the sustainable future of this sector.

António Guterres highlighted the importance of transforming this sector in his last year’s address to the Global Food Systems Summit.

While emphasizing that food systems have the power to realize our vision of a better world, the UN Secretary-General cautioned that this is only possible if these systems are sustainable.

This means the food and agriculture sector must be developed to support people and the planet.

This means food systems must serve not just the prosperity of businesses and shareholders but of farmers and food workers and everyone else who depends on this industry.

Azerbaijan has already achieved significant steps towards a more sustainable food and agricultural sector, thanks to the programmes and efforts undertaken by the Government,  international and national partners.

Much more remains to be done, to ensure systems sustainability, including  increasing the efficiency, capacity and diversity of agricultural processing production and greater engagement with the private sector.

The private sector, big or small, local or global, has been a key ally in the global fight against food insecurity and rural poverty.

This is why the 2030 Agenda calls for all forms of partnership and resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – since these goals can only be met if we work together to build a better world.

The FAO has a long history of partnering with the private sector - and is now scaling up its engagement, recognizing the catalytic role of the private sector in finding innovative solutions to development challenges.

Last year, the FAO launched a new Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021–2025). This Strategy lays out the Organization’s continued and even stronger commitment to cooperating with the private sector on development.

Partnering with the private sector is vital to harness the capacities and skill sets to support and scale up innovations, to mobilize scientific and evidence-based expertise, and to close some of the key financing gaps currently impeding the achievement of the SDGs.

Collaborating with the private sector can also be instrumental in developing the capacities of smallholders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for accelerating innovations, including by generating valuable data for evidence-based decision-making and monitoring progress on achieving the SDGs.

It is only by promoting sustainable practices on all fronts in this way that we can achieve our joint sustainable objectives.

Dear colleagues,

With this Memorandum of Understanding, the FAO and Azersun are setting a great example for others to follow.

It is precisely these types of partnerships that open up opportunities for greater cross-sectoral efforts in technology development and adaptation, knowledge-transfer and innovation, job creation, and alternative revenue streams.

I am also glad to see that FAO and Azersun have found common ground in terms of joint learning and applying new approaches, technologies and innovation.

This cooperation will help to ensure a more efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, to adapt to climate change, and to adopt more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems in Azerbaijan.

I would like to congratulate Azersun and the FAO for embarking on this important journey together.

And I look forward to following the fruitful results that will come out of it,  for people in this country, the environment of Azerbaijan, and its overall prosperity.

On behalf of the UN family in Azerbaijan, I thank you for being here and I repeat our commitment to support you every step of the way.

Thank you.