Rome, Italy (July 3, 2025) – The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Honorable Franklyn Derek Wasi held a bilateral meeting with the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization yesterday (Thursday July 3).
During the bilateral meeting, both dignitaries exchanged pleasantries and commit to collaborate more closely to address the agri-food systems in the Solomon Islands.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Qu Dongyu the Director General for FAO, warmly welcomed the Honorable Minister MAL to Rome and thanked Solomon Islands for its steadfast commitment toward transforming the agri-food systems in the Solomon Islands and contribute to alleviating global hunger and poverty.
“I understand you were a former FAO staff before entering politics and becoming the Minister for MAL in the Solomon Islands, in this regard I must congratulate you”, said Mr. Qu.
“FAO welcomes you to Rome as this is your first trip to Rome for the 44th conference, and I look forward to working more closely with your country on your agri-food priorities,” the Director General remarked.
In his statements to the Director General, Honorable Wasi thanked FAO for all the past and present help received both in technical and financial support.
“Solomon Islands has been a wonderful recipient of FAO’s many technical assistance and financial support these recent years”, said Wasi.
“Some of these assistances include the recent approval of funding from the Global Environment Facility eighth funding cycle (GEF08) where, funding of USD14 million was secured under the FSIP and LDCF programs”, said Minister Wasi.
“There is also some notable funding support expected from DFAT and a new project with the Japanese Government and UNICEF that will assist our agriculture and food nutrition sectors including, the two investment areas of poultry and coconut as priorities identified under the flagship FAO program of the Hand In Hand Investment (HIHI)”, added the Minister.
During the meeting, Minister Wasi also requested the director general to establish a fully-fledged FAO country office in Solomon Islands and provided assurance that Solomon Islands will commit to support this establishment.
There were also other areas including digital agriculture, infrastructure connectivity and value chain development challenges highlighted by the Minister MAL during the bilateral talks.
Director General FAO was impressed with the bilateral discussions and remarked, “this is one of the most well-structured and clear outlining of the agri-food needs of Solomon Islands in a long while since I took up this office four years ago, and I sincerely thank you for the vision you have for Solomon Islands agriculture”.
Minister Wasi is in Rome along with his permanent secretary to attend the High Level Ministerial Special Event for SIDS, LLDCs and LDCs and also to attend the 44th Session of the FAO Conference, a biennial event.
MAL Press.
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