FAO 07/06/2024

Dublin – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, today presented President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland with the prestigious FAO Agricola Medal, the Organization’s highest award, in a ceremony held at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official presidential residence in Dublin.

"President Higgins continues to draw the world’s attention to the links between hunger and the global crises of poverty, migration, economic downturns and finance deficits,, and the impacts of the climate crisis," the Director-General said, underscoring  the President’s commitment  to championing the urgent transformation of global agrifood systems, towards a model that is informed by science; ensures freedom from hunger; provides healthy and nutritious foods; is sustainable; and in harmony with our planet.

The FAO Agricola Medal acknowledges outstanding contributions to agriculture and food security, celebrating those who have shown exceptional commitment to the fight against hunger and malnutrition. The award embodies the spirit of innovation, perseverance, and leadership in addressing the challenges facing global food systems.

The FAO Director-General noted that the highest recognition by FAO has been bestowed to a Head of State who “has passionately and consistently raised the importance of food security on the global stage”, and that has questioned global agriculture policies and continues “asking hard questions about our current farming models and the necessary revisions to the use of subsidies, with deep thinking and passion”.

Qu recalled President’s Higgins’ speeches at the World Food Day and the World Food Forum in Rome last year,  which he said “we had the privilege of listening to” and highlighted how his words had “impacted the participants and inspired the youth”.

Thanking the FAO Director-General for an award he was “deeply honoured to accept,” President Higgins said: “We have an opportunity to make this century the century in which we rid the planet once and for all of global hunger, one that will see a shared commitment to a global food-secure family, one based on the firm foundations of respect for each nation’s own institutions, traditions, experiences and wisdoms, founded on a recognition of the solidarity that binds us together as humans, and an acknowledgement of the responsibility we share for our vulnerable planet and the fundamental dignity of all those who hold life on it.”

https://www.fao.org/director-general/news/details/qu-dongyu-honours-the-president-of-ireland-with-the-fao-agricola-medal/en