15 May 2026, Dushanbe: FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met with H.E. Noel Grealish T.D., Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland, on the sidelines of the 35th FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia to discuss ongoing cooperation between FAO and Ireland, as well as opportunities to further strengthen the partnership in support of regional and global food security.
The Director-General welcomed Ireland’s strong and longstanding partnership with FAO, and its steadfast support, noting that Ireland’s historical experience with famine continues to shape its deep commitment to addressing global hunger and food insecurity.
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The Minister reaffirmed Ireland’s continued commitment to FAO and highlighted the country’s active role in supporting multilateral cooperation, including in the context of its forthcoming EU Council Presidency. He underlined Ireland’s strategic support to the World Food Forum, particularly in advancing youth engagement in agrifood systems. He highlighted Ireland’s ambition to support more youth in agriculture, noting that approximately 4000 students are currently engaged in agricultural studies in Ireland. He also referred to Ireland’s support for the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, a topic which has long been a priority for Ireland, in partnership with FAO.
The Director-General commended Ireland’s transformation from a traditional agriculture system focused on live animal exports to a modern, diversified agrifood system grounded in science and innovation. He emphasized the importance of science-based approaches, which he witnessed during his visits in Ireland. He also referred to his appreciation for the former President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to whom he awarded the Agricola Medal in 2024 for his lifetime commitment advocating for those suffering from hunger.
Both sides exchanged views on global developments and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems worldwide.
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